‘Lock them up’: Outrage after vandals deface Molly Meldrum sculpture

In an act that has shocked and saddened fans nationwide, the statue of beloved Australian music icon Molly Meldrum was found defaced in a brazen act of vandalism.

The statue, erected in Melbourne, has stood as a tribute to the influential music journalist and TV presenter for five years, making the incident all the more devastating to those who hold Meldrum dear to their hearts.

Under the cover of darkness, the alleged vandals struck the statue, painting red streams from Molly’s eyes and covering his dog Ziggy in the same red paint.

The Molly Meldrum statue next to The Corner Hotel has been defaced sometime over the weekend. I first noticed it on Saturday afternoon. This picture is from this morning.#news #melbourne pic.twitter.com/aBZZBKreQL

— Radio Mike (@itsradiomike) July 30, 2023

Meldrum has reportedly been left feeling quite distressed by the act.

“What a shame and how disappointing and disrespectful to a music legend,” Meldrum’s manager Mark Klemens told the Herald Sun.

Fans of Meldrum were quick to express their outrage on social media, expressing their anger over the “disgraceful” act.

I hope there are CCTV cameras @VictoriaPolice can put some time into finding the culprits.

— Gordo (@WiegoldGordon) July 30, 2023

Why can’t people appreciate art

— sk09325 (@sak003009) July 30, 2023

That’s disgraceful. Molly deserves better. No one has done more to promote Australia ???????? music ???? except for Michael Gudinski. And a great supporter of @stkildafc

— john sinisgalli (@JohnSinisgalli) July 30, 2023

Lock them up. Lose key!

— Austyn Way ???? (@AustynWay) July 30, 2023

The act of vandalism follows the intense backlash Meldrum received after a series of bizarre public incidents recently.

The first incident which garnered concern from his fans was when Meldrum made headlines after being brought up on stage during Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road show on Friday, January 13 where he proceeded to expose his bare buttocks to the crowd.

Following the incident, Meldrum later admitted that he “got carried away” once he took to the stage and that his “belt buckle broke”, his “pants were falling down” and “one thing led to another”.

Later in the year footage was shared by The Daily Mail of Meldrum allegedly exposing his genitalia and urinating on the floor while attending a Rod Stewart concert.