Sir Elton John's Steinway Model D Grand Piano
Musician
Elton John
(English, born 1947)
Maker
Steinway & Sons
(American, founded 1853)
Date1972
ClassificationsMusic
Dimensions36 x 61 x 107 in. (91.4 x 154.9 x 271.8 cm)
DescriptionSir Elton John's Steinway Model D Grand Piano Number 426549, in black lacquer finish. Steinway & Sons, New York, with three solid brass pedals. Together with matching concert adjustable stool (2021.002.0004a). Elton John has signed on the gilded cast iron frame in permanent black ink, "Enjoy this as much as I have, Elton John." This piano was played by Elton John in nearly 1,100 concerts worldwide including his famous 1975 Dodger Stadium performances and his 1974 Madison Square Garden show with John Lennon – The Beatles frontman’s last live appearance on stage.
Sir Elton loaned this piano to Queen’s Freddy Mercury for their 1977 A Day at the Races Tour. It was also featured at Live Aid in 1985, an event watched by an estimated 1.9 billion people. Paul McCartney played this piano at Live Aid’s Wembley Stadium stage during The Beatles classic song “Let it Be.”
Pianist, singer, and composer Elton John (b. 1947) is one of the best-selling solo artists of all time. His partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin has lasted since the late-1960s and produced numerous chart-topping hits.
Sir Elton has recorded 31 studio albums, with a stretch of six albums in the 1970s reaching number one in the U.S. Billboard charts – Honky Château (1972) through Rock of the Westies (1975). He has earned five Grammy Awards, five BRIT Awards, two Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, a Tony Award, and many other honors.
Elton John was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
