Spectacles worn by Elton John
Spectacles
1970s (made)
1970s (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Elton John is one of popular music's most famed wearers of spectacles. Having started his career performing in pubs from the age of 15, he worked his way up the music industry ladder by playing in bands with his friends, eventually becoming a staff songwriter for DJM Records. On gaining a record contract in 1970, at the age of 23, his live performance became bigger and more flamboyant. Backed by a large catalogue of ballads and piano rock, his scintillating stage shows involved him performing in wild costumes, for which he commissioned spectacles to match.
This pair of sunglasses features metal and fabric unfolding shades, which can open out in the style of window awnings. They were designed by French sunglasses manufacturer Kono in the 1970s.
This pair of sunglasses features metal and fabric unfolding shades, which can open out in the style of window awnings. They were designed by French sunglasses manufacturer Kono in the 1970s.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
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Title | Spectacles worn by Elton John (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | |
Brief description | Spectacles worn by Elton John on 1981/2 British and World tours; blue frames with fabric shades over lenses. |
Physical description | Blue plastic round frames with metal hinges. Fabric and metal unfolding shades. Rose-tinted plastic prescription lenses. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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Credit line | Given by Elton John |
Summary | Elton John is one of popular music's most famed wearers of spectacles. Having started his career performing in pubs from the age of 15, he worked his way up the music industry ladder by playing in bands with his friends, eventually becoming a staff songwriter for DJM Records. On gaining a record contract in 1970, at the age of 23, his live performance became bigger and more flamboyant. Backed by a large catalogue of ballads and piano rock, his scintillating stage shows involved him performing in wild costumes, for which he commissioned spectacles to match. This pair of sunglasses features metal and fabric unfolding shades, which can open out in the style of window awnings. They were designed by French sunglasses manufacturer Kono in the 1970s. |
Collection | |
Accession number | S.529:1, 2-1989 |
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Record created | January 22, 2009 |
Record URL |
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