The new figure depicts a moment from Elton John's high-flying early days, when America came calling and the artist was at the peak of his powers.
The Madame Tussauds wax museum in London pulls the curtain back on what reps describe as its most structurally ambitious figure to date – the Rocket Man suspended in the air over a baby grand piano.
Unveiled on Dec. 20, the new figure depicts a moment from Elton John’s high-flying early days, when America came calling and the artist was at the peak of his considerable powers.
Madame Tussauds said the waxwork is one of its most complex to date and is the clay sculpt, which is wearing a toile outfit and stand-in statement glasses in place of the final costume.
Steve Blackburn, general manager at Madame Tussauds London, said Sir Elton has “always inspired us to go above and beyond in our creations” since he sat for his first figure in 1976.
It became the museum’s first talking and smiling waxwork, with the Daniel singer recording his voice for the work.
Blackburn said: “We’ve been creating figures of Sir Elton John since the beginning of his legendary career, and he has always inspired us to go above and beyond in our creations.
“Back in the 1970s, his first figure was our first talking figure, and in 2024 we’re determined to go big again.
“The figure’s iconic, gravity-defying pose will capture the essence of Elton’s legendary early performances in a way that only Madame Tussauds London can.
“This will be our most structurally complex figure to date in our centuries-old history and it is going to be a real showstopper when we unveil it later this year.”
The model will be displayed in the attraction’s Impossible Festival exhibition, which will launch later this year and showcase waxworks of musicians from throughout history.
Figures will include Ziggy Stardust-era David Bowie, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande, Amy Winehouse, and Queen singer Freddie Mercury.
