Madame Tussauds shares unseen David Bowie photos ahead of new wax figure
See the images of his sitting from 1983
Last updated 10th Jan 2022
Madame Tussauds London marked what would have been David Bowie’s 75th birthday on Saturday (8th January) by sharing a series of never-before-seen images.
The Baker Street attraction has unveiled the photographs of David Bowie’s sitting 39 years ago to coincide with the announcement that they’re creating a second figure of the music legend which will be unveiled in March 2022.
Bowie was deeply involved in the original creation of his likeness, attending a sitting with Madame Tussauds London artists in June 1983 to provide hundreds of precise measurements, hair and skin colour references to ensure complete accuracy.
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in 1983:
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
Bowie’s contributions to the 1983 sitting continue to help the Madame Tussauds London artists sculpting his new figure for 2022.
The sitting took place just a few months after Bowie topped charts around the globe with his colossal hit single ‘Let’s Dance.’
Tim Waters, General Manager at Madame Tussauds London said: “David Bowie is one of music’s greats. On what would have been his 75th birthday the most fitting tribute for Madame Tussauds London to give to our old friend is the creation of a new figure.
“His music inspired the masses and, for so many, changed the way they viewed themselves, and we hope remembering him here will ensure that it continues to do so for centuries to come.
“We felt privileged to work with him back in the ’80s and are just as honoured to work with his estate now to continue the legacy of this truly outstanding music career.”
The new likeness of David Bowie will be located at Madame Tussauds London’s reimagined music zone that launches in March.
David Bowie died exactly six years ago today on 10th January 2016 – just two days after his 69th birthday and the release of his swansong album ‘Blackstar.’
Last week it was announced that David Bowie's estate had sold his entire music catalogue to Warner Chappell Music for £185 million.
Rock stars immortalised as statues, including David Bowie:
Marc Bolan statue in Barnes, London
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Brian Johnson statue in Namur, Belgium
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Freddie Mercury statue at Lake Geneva
The iconic Freddie Mercury statue overlooking Lake Geneva in Montreux. Standing three metres high, the Irena Sedlecka sculpture was unveiled five years after Freddie's death by Montserrat Caballé and Freddie's mother Jer.
Freddie Mercury statue at Lake Geneva
A close up of the incredible Freddie Mercury statue in Montreux.
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards statues
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Keith Richards statue in Dartford
Mick Jagger statue in Dartford
Rory Gallagher statue in Cork
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Rory Gallagher statue in Ballyshannon
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Ronnie James Dio statue in Bulgaria
After Dio's untimely death in May 2010, the metalheads on the town council of Kavarna in Bulgaria immediately commissioned a statue in his honour. It was unveiled in October of that year.
Bon Scott statue in Fremantle
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Phil Lynott statue in Dublin
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Jimi Hendrix statue in Isle of Wight
In honour of Jimi's fabled 1970 Isle of Wight Festival performance, a bronze statue was unveiled at Dimbola House in 2006. Created by John Swindells, the plaque comes with the Jimi quote "It's funny how most people love the dead, once you're dead you're made for life."
Elvis Presley statue in Mississippi
Such is his profound legacy there are numerous Elvis statues across the globe. However, arguably the most poignant is this statue of a 13-year-old Elvis outside the church he attended as a child in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Chuck Berry statue in St Louis
Sculptor Harry Weber's in-motion sculpture of Chuck is located right across the street from Blueberry Hill in St Louis. The late-great Chuck himself launched the sculpture in July 2011.
Frank Zappa in Baltimore
Launched in 2010, the statue of the musical maverick's head is situated right by Frank Zappa Way in Baltimore where he was born.
Johnny Ramone statue at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Unveiled three months after Johnny's death in September 2004, the statue marks is burial site at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in California.
Buddy Holly statue in Clear Lake, Iowa
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Kurt Cobain statue in Washington
On what would have been Kurt's 47th birthday in February 2014, a statue was unveiled in the Aberdeen Museum of History, Washington as part of Kurt Cobain Day. The memorial featured a single tear rolling down Kurt's face prompting criticism from some quarters.
Freddie Mercury statue in London
This 20-foot high fibre-glass statue of Freddie Mercury that stood outside London's Dominion Theatre for We Will Rock You's 12 year run from 2002 to 2014. It now resides in Roger Taylor's back garden.
Bon Scott statue in Kirriemuir
Such is their adulation for the late singer, AC/DC fans themselves raised £45,000 to fund the life-size bronze statue of Bon Scott in his home town of Kirriemuir, Scotland. Created by John McKenna, it was unveiled by former AC/DC bassist Mark Evans in May 2016.
Jimi Hendrix nail statue
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Lemmy statue at Rainbow Bar & Grill
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David Bowie statue in Aylesbury
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Chris Cornell statue in Seattle
Chris Cornell's life-sized bronze sculpture at a ceremony at Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture. Commissioned by Chris' wife Vicky, the six-foot statue was created by sculptor Nick Marra and depicts the singer throwing a 'rock god pose' while clutching a perfectly detailed Gibson guitar. It was unveiled in October 2018 and sadly vandalised in 2020.
John Bonham statue in Redditch
The statue of the late Led Zeppelin drummer is located in Mercian Square in Bonham's birthplace of Redditch. Created by sculptor Mark Richards and unveiled on what would have been Bonham's 70th birthday on 31st May 2018, the vast bronze sculpture weighs around 2.5 tonnes and depicts Bonzo in live action behind the drum kit.
The Beatles statues in Liverpool
The bronze statues of all four members of The Beatles – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison – were unveiled on Liverpool's Waterfront in December 2015. Donated by The Cavern Club, the statues were created to mark the 50th anniversary of the Fab Four's last gig in Liverpool at The Liverpool Empire. Slightly larger than life, the statues way a combined 1.2 tonnes! John Lennon is also honoured with a statue on Mathew Street and at John Lennon Airport.
Buddy Holly statue in Texas
Created by sculptor Grant Speed in 1980, a huge 8.5-foot-tall bronze statue of Buddy Holly playing a Fender guitar resides in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas. The sculpture was created to mark the 50th anniversary of Buddy Holly's untimely death in 1959 - The Day the Music Died.
Stevie Ray Vaughan statue in Austin, Texas
Late-great Double Trouble blues rocker Stevie Ray Vaughan is immortalised with a bronze statue on the shore of Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas near to the location of his last concert in the city. It was opened in 1994, four years after Vaughan's death, and was created by sculptor Ralph Helmick.
Jimi Hendrix statue in Seattle
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Phil Lynott statue in West Bromwich
A Phil Lynott statue was unveiled in his birthplace of West Bromwich on what would have been the Thin Lizzy legend's 72nd birthday on Friday 20th August 2021. The monument stands at six feet tall and features a large metal plinth featuring the words: 'Phil Lynott. Son of West Bromwich. Born in this town. 20th August 1949.' On top of the sizable plinth is a bust of Phil Lynott made from bronze and galvanized steel. The whole monument was created by local sculptor Luke Perry.
Freddie Mercury statue in Jeju, South Korea
A 5ft 9in statue of Freddie Mercury standing on the shoreline in Jeju, South Korea. The figure cost over £28,000 to make and was the labour of love for businessman and Queen fan Baek Soon-yeob, who emailed the band every month for 8 years to seek their permission.
Lemmy statue at Hellfest
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Till Lindemann statue in Germany
Created by animator and designer Roxxy Roxx, this 40-kilogram statue of Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann was unveiled outside the singer's childhood home in Rostock, Germany on 3rd January 2023. Unveiled to coincide with Lindemann's 60th birthday the following day, the statue was stolen just hours after it was erected.