//The four pairs of boots are classic examples of early 70s rock n roll style//

These rare and unusual boots are thought to have once belonged to Elton John; the current owner was told this when he acquired them.

//Winged boots, designed by Jim O’Connor for Mr Freedom and sold at the boutique at 20 Kensington Church Street in 1971//

Certainly they are the right size – UK 9 apart from the star boots which appear to be around 8.5 – and are from boutiques frequented by John when he was in his first flush of fame;  I featured photographs of the superstar in pairs of the winged Mr Freedom boots in my book about Tommy Roberts. The shoes were designed by Jim O’Connor; a pair reside in the V&A permanent collection, having been acquired with other Mr Freedom designs for Cecil Beaton’s 1971 exhibition Fashion: An Anthology.

//Elton John performing in Mr Freedom jumpsuit and boots (both designed by Jim O’Connor) in Croydon, south London, summer 1971. Rex Features//

//John outside Granny’s Los Angeles outlet showing a just-purchased zebra print version of the jacket he wore on the cover of 1974 LP Caribou. This snap taken by Granny’s owner, the late Freddie Hornik and is from his scrapbook. Photo: courtesy Alex Jarrett//

//Rolling Stone, June 10, 1971. Photo: Annie Liebowitz//

John was also an avid customer of  Granny Takes A Trip, particularly the Los Angeles outlet, so it is feasible that he could have purchased them. It has been pointed out he did not favour the slim-fit of the zippered boots of the period. This is borne out by the 1971 Annie Liebowitz cover of Rolling Stone, in which he appeared with one of his his Granny’s star boots undone.

//Star boots as sold at Granny Takes A Trip outlets in London, New York and Los Angeles in the early 70s//

The star boots were a Granny’s standby; Joe Cocker wore a pair for his performance at Woodstock and his appearance in the film of the festival increased their popularity. Keith Richards, among others, wore the snakeskin Granny’s boots.

//Snakeskin boots as sold at Granny Takes A Trip outlets in London, New York and Los Angeles//

//Mick Jagger attends to Keith Richards’ snakeskin boot in this still from The Rock n Roll Circus, 1968//

//Joe Cocker and his Granny’s boots in performance at Woodstock, August, 1969//

Granny’s used a couple of London shoemakers, including Gohil of Camden, which was still operating from it’s outlet in the High Street the last time I checked.

//Green leather boots made by shoemaker Gohil’s of Camden, north London, for Granny Takes A Trip//

//Gohil’s label//

//Rock n roll tear in one of the snakeskin boots//

The boots are generally in good condition; one of the snakeskin pair has a tear by the zip.

The owner is inviting offers. Interested parties may make contact via me here.

Tags: Annie Liebowitz, Caribou, Cecil Beaton, Elton John, Fashion An Anthology, Freddie Hornik, Gohil, Granny Takes A trip, Jim, Jim O'Connor, Joe Cocker, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Mr Freedom, Rolling Stone, V&A, Woodstock