First Neil… Now Elton
• In a week that began crappily enough with Neil Diamond‘s announcement of his retirement from touring due to a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease comes word that another musical legend is coming off the road, although not quite as abruptly — Elton John has announced one last world tour — in grand Elton fashion, this finale, which has been dubbed Farewell Yellow Brick Road, will last three years and span some 300 dates on five continents.
Rolling Stone reports that during an emotional press conference in New York, moderated by CNN’s Anderson Cooper, the 71-year-old icon performed “Tiny Dancer,” followed by a stripped-down version of his 1983 hit “I’m Still Standing.” Elton then made his future plans official, stating, “I’m not going to be touring and traveling the world. My priorities have changed. I have young children.” He added, “That doesn’t mean I won’t still be creative… But I won’t travel any more… I don’t want to go out with a whimper. I want to go out with a bang… It’ll be the most produced, fantastic show I’ve ever done.”
Elton did say that after a long break following the conclusion of the tour in 2021 he will continue to write and record. “I’m 71. I can’t physically do the traveling anymore,” he said. “I want to be at home. I really want to spend time with my children at home. I’ve had an incredible life, but life is all about change.”
He didn’t rule out the possibility of a future residency, like the one he has done in Las Vegas, or Kate Bush‘s 22-night stand at London’s Apollo Hammersmith in 2014. “I haven’t had much time off in my life,” he said. “I definitely want to make a couple more albums, but that will be easy since I can do that at home. I want to see friends. I want to spend time at my house and with my photography collection. I’m really looking forward to this tour and I’m really looking forward to the 300th date.” Farewell Yellow Brick Road kicks off Sept. 8 in Allentown, PA and rolls on from there. Complete tour dates and ticket info are posted on EltonJohn.com.
