There is an interesting story published in The Sun this week, about the lead singer of Kasabian acquiring (and unfortunately, riding) the original BMX bike used in the Steven Spielberg classic, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial.
The most disturbing part of the story is this quote:
“The bike is not quite as pristine as when he bought it. But he didn’t buy it to leave in some sort of trophy cabinet, he bought it to have a laugh with.”
It’s very unfortunate (presuming the piece is authentic) that such an important and iconic prop is not being cared for properly. I don’t understand the point in acquiring something if you don’t have any respect for what it is or what it represents.
Here is a link to the full story at The Sun (LINK):
Singer’s £8k on C-3PO & R2-D2
Published: 27 Dec 2007
KASABIAN frontman TOM MEIGHAN has added to his growing Empire of sci-fi toys — by splashing out £8,000 on Star Wars replicas.
The singer used the force of his cash to have fabulous life-size models of R2-D2 and C-3PO created.
Tom — whose band had a No1 album with Empire — hired a skilled model maker to craft the giant copies of the cult film’s robots for his growing collection of movie memorabilia.
His trendy flat is now beginning to look like Leicester’s answer to Universal Studios.
Earlier this year the cult movie fanatic also spent £10,000 on Elliott’s BMX from ET — then bought an ET model to go in the bike’s basket.
Now his Empire is expanding again with his latest Star Wars buys.
Last night a pal said: “Tom has paid £8,000 to have the life-size R2-D2 and C-3P0 models made and they are both exact replicas from the film. They now have pride of place in his flat, which is full of cool stuff from cult movies.
“Tom spent around £10,000 earlier this year on the actual BMX they used in ET — and he also has a life-size model of ET.
“ET and Star Wars, along with Superman, are his favourite films and he’s well chuffed with his latest purchases.
“Tom is a good lad and is living the dream. He’s the frontman in a rock ’n’ roll band and his apartment is full of the best boys’ toys that money can buy.”
But Tom isn’t happy just admiring his purchases — he’s been playing with his goodies and recreating some of his favourite movie scenes.
And like most young lads with their toys at Christmas, he’s in danger of damaging them by getting over-excited.
His pal revealed: “Tom has been riding his ET BMX around his flat — with ET in the basket on the front.
“The bike is not quite as pristine as when he bought it. But he didn’t buy it to leave in some sort of trophy cabinet, he bought it to have a laugh with.”
Well, I’m pleased to hear he is applying his motto for life to his valuable and rare possessions.
Go on, Tom, ride it ’till the wheels fall off.
Jason De Bord