The Inflatable Penguin

EricBliss12345 · #1 06-30-2003, 03:38 AM

Ahh, the 70's!

Zeppelin had a stage set like Stonehenge, Yes had ther laser-spewing crustaceans, Genesis had Peter Gabriel.

The most hilarious idea for a stage prop I think I've ever heard of was the inflatable penguin they had for the Rumors tour that never fully inflated. I could just see, for the climax of the stadium shows, Christine plays "Songbird" the crowd, half in tears, half in stunned silence, are awestruck by what they have just seen. Then out of nowhere a giant, menacing, half-deflated Penguin flies over the crowd. What??????? LOL

I'm giddy just thinking about the sheer hilarity of this spectacle. Can anybody point me out to some pictures or better yet somwhere where I can find some footage of the tour that showcases FM's glorious, flightless bird in its full glory?

Thanks!

bootylicous · #2 06-30-2003, 08:21 AM

OMG that's hillarious! Yes we need to be seeing pics of this.

darklinensuit · #3 06-30-2003, 12:23 PM

I'm not aware of any flight spectacle, but there's a pic of the penguin in Mick's coffee table book.

- Jake

rcb77 · #4 06-30-2003, 03:39 PM

Mick wrote in one of his books (either the coffee table or autobiography) that they tried to have an inflatable penguin behind or to the side of the stage on their stadium tour in '76 with the Eagles, but it would never stay inflated and would always collapse. It was never intended to go out over the crowd, and was scrapped after a few shows. He joked that penguins were never meant to fly, so I think he was fully aware of the irony. I think the giant inflatable dildo at Beastie Boys shows in the '80s is probably the funniest stage prop ever (used when they opened for Madonna, no less)

jwys_soapbox · #5 06-30-2003, 03:46 PM

Jeez, I was thinking that the band could really spice up the act by adding inflatable penguin and maybe some sexy dancers (they could dress up like gypsy's during "Gypsy"), but then I was reminded of Stevie's 80s videos and now this! Just goes to show you that no idea is original anymore! Well, maybe a mime acting out the lyrics to the songs might work (imagine his interpretation of "Come" and "Second Hand News" OY!). Anyone heard of that in relation to an FM show?

John

darklinensuit · #6 06-30-2003, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jwys_soapbox
Jeez, I was thinking that the band could really spice up the act by adding inflatable penguin and maybe some sexy dancers (they could dress up like gypsy's during "Gypsy"), but then I was reminded of Stevie's 80s videos and now this! Just goes to show you that no idea is original anymore! Well, maybe a mime acting out the lyrics to the songs might work (imagine his interpretation of "Come" and "Second Hand News" OY!). Anyone heard of that in relation to an FM show?

John

I believe you're thinking of the audience participation in The Stevie Horror Picture Show.

- Jake

EricBliss12345 · #7 06-30-2003, 06:25 PM

So nobody has a picture of the blasted thing?

Lady Perfect · #8 07-01-2003, 11:52 AM

I do!

darklinensuit · #9 07-01-2003, 01:23 PM

Actually, the one from those concerts is much larger.
But Chris does look happy in your pic. Is that John in a tux?

- Jake

gypsysara · #10 07-01-2003, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by darklinensuit
Is that John in a tux?

Nah, I dont think she'd look as happy if it were, LOL!

#11 07-01-2003, 03:23 PM

there's actually pictures of it in Mick's book....either his hardcover or the pictoral that came out at the same time....they actually show it at a stadium in the process of being blown up and then deflating.....i don't have a scanner so i can't scan it....i'm sure someone else can!

darklinensuit · #12 07-01-2003, 06:17 PM

In the coffee table book.

- Jake