In August 1976, Elton John began a record-breaking seven-night residency at Madison Square Garden at the height of his commercial success, but faced a critical backlash that included a New York Times review dismissing his work as “wallpaper music”. The article recalls the contrast between his deliberately flamboyant stage presentation and the extraordinary scale of his popularity, showing how celebrity acclaim and sceptical criticism coexisted.

John opened the run in a Statue of Liberty costume before changing into sequined clothing, while his single “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” spent the whole month at number one. The concerts surpassed the Rolling Stones’ previous six-night Garden record, only six years after John’s sparse US debut at the 500-seat Troubadour; his status was such that he reportedly declined a request for Michael Jackson to appear briefly on stage.