After 50 years on the road, Elton John has officially said goodbye to his touring career.
On July 8, the 76-year-old music icon completed his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour after performing hits like “Bennie and the Jets,” “Tiny Dancer” and “Your Song” throughout his 23-song set. .
The tour, which began on September 10, 2018 but was halted in 2020 for almost two years due to the pandemic, has traveled across North America, Europe and Australia, concluding in Stockholm, Sweden at the Tele2 Arena in front of thousands of fans.
John’s goodbye, a moment fans have been anticipating for almost five years, finally came when he closed the show with “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” during his encore.
The legendary musician shared some of the special moments from his tour on social media, including a photo of him and his band giving one last salute as confetti fell and blanketed the audience and stage.
“The final farewell, July 8, 2023”, he simply captioned the emotional moment in a instagram publication on July 9.
Celebrity friends and fans celebrated the Grammy-winning artist and his impressive decades-long career.
Donatella Versace wrote: “I love you so much @eltonjohn. I will always be proud of your exceptional achievements, you are a true genius.”
Singer Brandi Carlile said: “You did it Captain! incredible work ethic and stamina.”
She added: “Proud to meet you every day.”
Coldplay, who were performing a concert in Gothenburg, Sweden on July 8, sent a live video message which was displayed on stage for John to see.
In the sweet clip, frontman Chris Martin told John and the audience: “Elton, on behalf of all of us here (in Gothenburg), on behalf of all the bands and artists you’ve helped and inspired, we love you so much. We are so grateful for everything he has done for the AIDS Foundation, every time he has been nice to someone.”
Martin also mentioned John’s work with the LGBTQ+ community and his influence in the fashion, eyewear and music industries.
Numerous fans shared how John’s music has impacted them personally in their instagram.
“Saying thank you seems completely inappropriate!” one person commented. But thank you, your music has helped me carry on through some of my darkest days. The world is a better place with you in it!”
Another wrote: “Thank you so much for everything Elton. I love you! I crossed the world to fulfill this great dream, I came directly from Belém do Pará, northern Brazil, to see my great idol!”
Meanwhile, some longtime fans were hoping the singer wouldn’t say goodbye to acting in general, but just touring life.
“I hope it’s not the final curtain call, but if it is, happy retirement Elton! #legend,” wrote one Instagram user.
Another joked: “I wish you a happy retirement. However, don’t forget to record new albums.”
John also had a message for his fans. He reflected on his enduring bond with them in a statement shared in a press release.
“When we started my final tour in 2018, I could not have foreseen in my wildest dreams the twists and turns and the ups and downs that this tour, and the entire world, would have experienced in the next 5 years,” he said. saying. “When we began my final tour in 2018, I could not have foreseen in my wildest dreams the twists and turns and ups and downs that this tour, and the entire world, would have experienced in the next 5 years.”
He described his farewell show in Sweden as “magical”.
“I’m trying to process it, and I don’t think it’s going to sink in for a while yet that I finally finished the tour,” he said. “I can’t tell you how much I’m going to miss the fans and how humbled I have been by their support, he will stay with me forever.”
