Mysteriously, a beautiful piano-sized monument to world renowned pianist Winifred Atwell and her husband has appeared to mark their burial site at a small, private cemetery south of Lismore on the NSW North Coast.
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Rumours abound about who the benefactor might be, but it's unknown who is responsible for commissioning the headstone in the shape of a full size piano.
Some rumours suggest mega-star Elton John might be behind the tribute at the Northern Rivers Memorial Park in South Gundurimba.
Elton played a concert in Coffs Harbour in 2020 and is a self-professed fan of Winnie - he credited her as an inspiration during a BBC Radio interview with Matt Everitt in 2016.
Elton said her vitality and joy when she played the piano, both classical and honky tonk, was something he wanted to emulate on stage.
"I loved her and wanted to be like her. She was my hero," he said.
Other rumours suggest the person responsible might be much closer to home, but it is not known for sure.
Until a few months ago, Winnie's burial site at south Gundurimba was marked by an unassuming plaque and a memorial book listing her great success.
Winnie was born in Trinidad and began her career as a classical pianist, playing Chopin at the age of 6.
She is most well known for sparking a craze for her ragtime boogie woogie style, and had many No.1s in countries around the world.
She is credited as the first black person to have a No.1 hit in the UK Singles Chart.
Winnie is said to have fallen in love with the Northern Rivers region after playing at the Vanity Theatre in Lismore, and holidaying often at Evans Head.
The memorial book at the cemetery says it was Winnie's request to be buried beside her husband Lew Levisohn "here at South Gundurimba".
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And when she died in 1983, her wish was granted.
Member of the Winifred Atwell Fan Club, John Maloney, said a lot fans of the 1950's legend visited her grave, and were left underwhelmed by the plaque marking her burial site.
"It was a bit ordinary for a person of such high musical legacy," John said.
He said she is still so well loved because of her generosity and care for her fans, responding to letters and asking how they were.
"She was such a genuine, down to earth lady," he said.
John helped organise a service in 2013 to mark the 30th anniversary of her death.
Winnie remains so well loved, even today, John says, that it could well become a pilgrimage destination for fans, like other grave sites of famous people have become.
"It's pretty amazing. Like a hidden secret of the community."
