While the legend that is Elton John may no longer be able to do handstands at the keyboard — not recommended for any near-octogenarian — that doesn’t mean one of his signature moves and looks can’t be captured in wax form.
Madame Tussauds unveiled their most ambitious waxwork to date, just before Christmas 2024, of a much younger Elton John in a keyboard handstand pose.
While Elton John has been immortalised in wax since 1976, this model was a real challenge to pull off. Styled on Elton’s 1975 Midsummer Music one-day festival at Wembley Stadium, the waxwork experts were given access to the original bejewelled Bob Mackie jumpsuit worn for the performance, which was then expertly recreated for the final figure. This is accompanied by the signature glasses and platform shoes.
Madame Tussauds also worked with Yamaha to create a bespoke baby grand piano covered in 24,000 rhinestones.
It took several artists months to plan, engineer and build the structure which allows Elton’s figure to be suspended in the air.
This amazing work can be seen at Madame Tussauds, London.
