elton john tour gross

Elton John going out with a bang as final tour becomes highest-grossing ever

Sir Elton John’s farewell tour has officially earned him more cash than any other artist’s tour EVER.

The legendary British singer has grossed a whopping $817.9 million (£660.06 million) from the eight legs (278 shows) of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour , according to Billboard Boxscore.

The shows, held between September 2018 and January 2023, have become the highest-grossing music tour .

Elton’s tour has smashed the record previously held by Ed Sheeran for his ÷ [Divide] tour, which earned $776.2 million (£631.3 million) from 225 shows.

The record has also previously been held by U2 and The Rolling Stones.

Elton’s third and final European leg of the tour is still to come, with 51 shows planned between March and July 2023 – meaning the amount he’s earned from it is set to increase.

    View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Elton John (@eltonjohn)

His upcoming shows include a headline slot on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival on 25 June.

The show will be Elton’s last ever in the UK and it’s something he’s very much looking forward to.

Announcing the headline slot on Instagram, he wrote: “I couldn’t be more excited to be headlining the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2023 and celebrate the greatest festival in the world!! 

“Every week I speak to new artists on my radio show and Glastonbury is often cited as a pivotal moment in launching their careers - the festival’s genuine, enthusiastic support for the best emerging talent is something I’ve long admired. Thank you for having me Emily Eavis for my final UK show - it’s going to be emotional.”

Elton has also been excitedly posting about his last ever tour on Instagram.

Sharing a snap of himself on stage at his final US show, the superstar penned: “Last night, I played my 2001st and final US tour show ever. I can’t thank each and every person who was a part of it, at Dodger Stadium and watching at home, enough for the most incredible night. I love you all and you will forever be in my heart.”

As of January 2023, according to Billboard Boxscore, Elton has the highest gross in history with $1.863 billion (£1.503 billion), as well as having the highest attendance (19.9 million tickets sold).

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Elton John’s farewell tour is the highest grossing of all time

The music icon's final ever tour is the first to surpass the $800million (£649.1million) mark

Elton John ‘s ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour is the highest grossing of all time.

The music icon’s final ever tour has drawn $817.9 million (£664.4million) so far, according to figures from Billboard .

• READ MORE:  Elton John: “I’m not interested in the past – not even Elton John’s past”

The tour, which kicked off in September 2018, has grossed more than any tour in Boxscore history, bypassing Ed Sheeran ‘s ‘The Divide Tour’ at the end of 2019, which made $776.4million (£630.5million).

Sheeran previously beat U2’s ‘The 360 Tour’ to the record .

John’s tour is also the first in Billboard ’s archives to surpass the $800million (649.1million) mark.

The ‘Rocket Man’ singer has played 278 shows so far across arenas in North America, Europe, and Oceania, before playing stadiums in each continent for the final year of the tour.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Elton John (@eltonjohn)

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John will play the final UK show of his last ever tour at Glastonbury this year, after being confirmed as the festival’s first headliner back in December. “I couldn’t be more excited to be headlining the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2023 and celebrate the greatest festival in the world!!” the legendary musician shared on Instagram.

Speaking to  NME  for a Big Read cover feature in 2021 around the release of his collaborative album ‘The Lockdown Sessions’ , Elton John said that  he was determined to finish his ‘Farewell…’ tour – and that it will also certainly be his last .

You can find the final UK and Ireland dates for his ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour below and  purchase any remaining tickets here .

Elton John’s ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ UK and Ireland tour dates 2023:

APRIL Sunday 02 – The O2, London Tuesday 04 – The O2, London Wednesday 05 – The O2, London Saturday 08 – The O2, London Sunday 09 – The O2, London Wednesday 12 – The O2, London Thursday 13 – The O2, London Sunday 16 – The O2, London Monday 17 – The O2, London Wednesday 19 – Resorts World Arena, Birmingham Saturday 22 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool Sunday 23 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

MAY Tuesday 30 – The O2, London – NEW SHOW Wednesday 31 – AO Arena, Manchester

JUNE Friday 02 – AO Arena, Manchester Saturday 03 – AO Arena, Manchester Tuesday 06 – First Direct Arena, Leeds Thursday 08 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham Saturday 10 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham Sunday 11 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham Tuesday 13 – P&J Live, Aberdeen Thursday 15 – P&J Live, Aberdeen Saturday 17 – The SSE Hydro, Glasgow Sunday 18 – The SSE Hydro, Glasgow

The singer’s gig in Auckland, New Zealand was cancelled just minutes before stage time last week (January 27) as huge floods hit the city.

Elsewhere, John recently sent gig tickets to Telford school students for their lockdown cover of his 1983 classic ‘I’m Still Standing’ .

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Elton John Scores Highest-Grossing Tour Of All Time With ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’

Few artists have exerted as much staying power in popular music as Sir Elton John . The English singer, pianist, and cultural icon’s resume of hits spans six decades, and his performances have been the stuff of live music legend for just as long. Even as he finally says goodbye to life on the road this year, Elton John remains a singular force in the live entertainment world: New figures reported to the Billboard Boxscore indicate that Sir Elton’s  Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour “has grossed $817.9 million across 278 shows so far—more than any tour in Boxscore history.”

Farewell Yellow Brick Road is also the first tour in Billboard Boxscore history to surpass the $800 million gross revenue mark, pushing  Elton John ahead of previous all-time record-holder Ed Sheeran and his The Divide Tour , which grossed $776.4 million between 2017 and 2019.

The bulk of Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road revenue came last year when he sized up from arenas to stadiums. As  Billboard explains, “John’s first three North American legs combined to $268.2 million over 116 shows. His stadium run from July – Nov. 2022 brought in $222.1 million, or 83% of his arena grosses, in just 33 shows.” And he’s still not done…

Related: Elton John Talks Drug Addiction On ‘CBS Sunday Morning’: “It Nearly Destroyed My Soul” [Watch]

Elton John first announced   Farewell Yellow Brick Road in 2018 along with the news that he would retire from the road following the massive, multi-year tour. As John, who was 70 at the time, explained, “My priorities have changed in my life. … My priorities now are my children, my husband, my family. I thought the time is right to say thank you to my fans and say goodbye.” He noted at the time that once the tour is over, he’ll be done for good. “I’m not going to say I’m retiring and then do a world tour,” he quipped. “I’m not Cher .”

Since then, the tour’s itinerary has elongated for numerous reasons, from added dates to the COVID-19 pandemic to a 2021 hip injury . On November 20th, 2022, Elton John rounded out the North American portion of Farewell Yellow Brick Road with fitting fanfare at Los Angeles, CA’s  Dodger Stadium . A concert film culled from that show’s livestream,  Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium , is available to stream on-demand via  Disney+ .

While the Rocket Man has left North America in the rearview, he is set to continue his Yellow Brick Road victory lap throughout the first half of 2023 with 50 more shows across Europe and the U.K. The tour, which has featured 278 concerts to date and will push past 300 before all is said and done, is currently due to close on July 7th and 8th in Stockholm, Sweden.

Related: Elton John Bids Farewell To The Road At Guest-Filled Dodger Stadium Finale [Photos/Videos]

Projections for the total number of tickets John may sell by the end of the tour leave him short of all-time titles ( The Rolling Stones ,  Coldplay ,  Guns N’ Roses ,  U2 , and Sheeran have all brought in more total fans), but Billboard Boxscore reports that Elton John has “grossed $1.863 billion and sold 19.9 million tickets over 1,573 reported shows” since 1986, including his share of co-headlining runs with Eric Clapton ,  James Taylor ,  Tina Turner , and  Billy Joel . That number pushes him past the likes of  Bruce Springsteen and  Madonna and into the all-time top spot on the Boxscore  for career gross for a solo act.

For a complete list of the remaining 2023 Elton John  Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour dates, head here .

[H/T  Billboard ]

Elton John’s Farewell Tour Grossed $939 Million

by Silke Jasso July 13, 2023, 5:31 pm

On Saturday, July 8, Elton John bid farewell to his iconic Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour , marking its grand finale. After an impressive run of nearly five years, the tour amassed a staggering $939.1 million in revenue and witnessed the sale of an incredible 6 million tickets, as confirmed by the figures reported to Billboard Boxscore.

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In January 2018, John sadly announced that he was retiring from touring. In September of the same year, he embarked on the tour, originally envisioning it as a three-year farewell. However, due to COVID-19, there was a two-year extension of the tour. Despite the unexpected circumstances, John remained committed to his promise to play for his fans one last time.

Continuing his reign as the Boxscore history’s highest-grossing tour , John further expanded his lead by adding 49 European arena dates to his already impressive repertoire. Additionally, he embarked on four separate North American legs, alternating between arenas and stadiums, along with two blocks of shows in Oceania.

Thanking his fans for following him along for the ride, he took to Instagram to share photos and videos of the tour throughout the years. “When we set off on my final tour in 2018, I couldn’t have foreseen in my wildest dreams the twists and turns and the highs and lows this tour – and the whole world – would have experienced in the next 5 years,” he wrote on Instagram.

“And every step of the way, my fans have been there. You have stuck with me, you have supported me, you have been patient and you have kept turning out for every single last show. Saturday night was magical. I’m trying to process it and I don’t think it will sink in for a while yet that I’m finally finished touring.

“I can’t tell you how much I’m going to miss you all and how much your support has humbled me – it will stay with me forever.”

John made headlines this week after he received an Emmy nomination on Wednesday morning for Best Variety Special (Live) for his Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodgers Stadium Special . The Disney + variety show showcased his final North American show.

Also taking to Instagram to celebrate, the singer noted, “It’s an honour for my Special to be recognized by the Academy. My final Dodger Stadium performance was bittersweet and an evening that I will never forget. My team  @rocketentertainment , the talented  @fulwell73productions , and everyone at  @disneyplus  went above and beyond to create a magical production, not only for me as I said goodbye to North America, but for my fans all over the world to enjoy for years to come!!”

John is now on the verge of becoming an EGOT should he win the Emmy award.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Elton John (@eltonjohn)

(Photo Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

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Elton John Now Has the Highest-Grossing Tour of All Time

Elton John still has several dozen scheduled dates remaining on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, but the singer's final voyage has already cemented its place as the highest-grossing trek in history.

John's ongoing farewell tour has grossed $817.9 million across 278 shows and counting, according to Billboard Boxscore . He dethrones former record holder Ed Sheeran, whose Divide Tour grossed $776.4 million from 2017-19, and becomes the first artist to surpass $800 million in a single run.

The Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour launched in September 2018 and has visited North America, Europe and Oceania. John played primarily arenas from 2018 to 2020 (when the tour was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic) and the first half of 2022, graduating to stadiums in the second half of last year.

The upsizing proved crucial for John's box office supremacy. While the first three North American legs of his farewell tour collected $268.2 million over 116 shows, his recent stadium run from July to November 2022 (which culminated in a final U.S. concert at Los Angeles' Dodgers Stadium) earned $222.1 million across just 33 shows.

The Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour also leapfrogs over several other Top 10 grosses from classic rock legends. U2 's 360 Tour now ranks third of all time with $736 million, followed by Guns N' Roses ' Not in This Lifetime ... Tour (No. 4, $584 million), the Rolling Stones ' A Bigger Bang Tour (No. 5, $558 million) and No Filter Tour (No. 6, $546 million), Roger Waters ' The Wall Live (No. 8, $458 million), AC/DC 's Black Ice World Tour (No. 9, $441 million) and Metallica 's WorldWired Tour (No. 10, $416 million).

John will return to Europe in March for a series of makeup dates from 2021, with his last concert currently scheduled for July 8 in Stockholm. At his final U.S. show, he left the audience with an uplifting message: "I wish you health, and love, prosperity. Be kind to each other. And farewell."

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So far, the run has grossed over $661 million and sold 4.5 million tickets around the world

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Elton John ’s farewell tour has become the third highest-grossing tour in history, grossing more than $661 million so far.

Shop the best of Elton John’s discography on vinyl and more .

The “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour kicked off in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in September 2018 and has visited the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand so far. Another North American leg is ongoing, while more dates in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe are still to come next year.

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According to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore , the run has grossed $661.3 million so far and sold 4.5 million tickets to 257 shows around the world through October 9. A total of $133.4 million and 830,000 tickets came from the North American shows he has played so far.

John’s dates are only the third tour in Boxscore history to surpass the $600 million mark. Before the pop icon achieved the feat, U2 ’s 2009-2011 “360” tour grossed $736.4 million, while Ed Sheeran’s 2017-2019 “Divide” tour racked up a massive $776.4 million. Sheeran performed 258 shows on that trek – one more than John has held so far.

The British pop legend will hold his last North American show at Los Angeles’ Dodgers Stadium on November 20. Disney+ will stream the concert live from the venue, while his other two shows there will also be filmed.

That footage will instead be used for an upcoming documentary on the tour,  Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: The Final Elton John Performances And the Years That Made His Legend , which according to Deadline, will be released exclusively on Disney+ after a planned festival run and limited theatrical release.

Earlier this month, John announced further UK dates for the “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour. New gigs at London’s The O2 and Birmingham’s Utilita Arena were added to his schedule for May and June next year. He will wrap up the UK leg of the tour in Glasgow on June 18, 2023.

Listen to the best of Elton John on  Apple Music  and  Spotify .

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Elton John's Farewell Tour Becomes Highest-Grossing Music Tour of All Time

The "farewell yellow brick road" tour, which began in 2018, will come to an end with two shows in johanneshov, sweden, on july 8, 2023..

Elton John's final tour breaks all records.

Sir Elton John, the veteran musician, has set the record for the highest-grossing music tour of all time. The English musician's ongoing "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" tour has already earned him more money than any other artist's tour in history, and the artist's long and final tour still has many shows left.

According to a Guinness World Records article citing a report by Billboard Boxscore, the renowned British singer earned an astounding $817.9 million from the eight legs (278 concerts) of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour. The performances, which took place between September 2018 and January 2023, have grown to be the most successful music tour.

The record book further reported that Elton's tour has smashed the record previously held by Ed Sheeran for his 'Divide Tour', which earned $776.2 million from 225 shows. U2 and the Rolling Stones had previously held the record.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Elton John (@eltonjohn)

With 51 concerts scheduled between March and July 2023 for Elton's third and final European leg of the tour, his earnings are expected to rise.

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John announced the farewell world tour in 2018, but it was curtailed by the Covid pandemic and after he was injured in a fall.

The British singer has scored a hit single in every decade since the 1970s and amassed worldwide record sales of 300 million.

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Elton John’s Farewell Tour Is the Highest-Grossing Tour of All Time

The "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" tour has grossed over $800 million since 2018

Elton John ’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour has brought in a whopping $817.9 million since it began in 2018 — making it the highest-grossing tour of all time, according to  Billboard . 

Since announcing his plans to step back from live performances, John has embarked on a lengthy, cross-continental tour that has so far included 278 shows. He began by playing arenas across North America, Europe, and Oceania before advancing to stadiums, going from making about $200 million across two years of arena shows to making the same amount in a matter of months at stadiums.

John’s farewell tour is the first to make over $800 million, breaking the record set by Ed Sheeran with his $776.4 million-grossing “The Divide Tour.” Sheeran hit that landmark in 2019, knocking U2 off the charts with their $736.4 million-grossing “The 360 Tour.”

The “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour isn’t over yet. The Rocketman has shows planned — including a headlining spot at Glastonbury — through July, and tickets are on sale now. In the meantime, revisit our review of his final concert at Dodger Stadium .

Photo Gallery: Elton John at Chicago’s United Center in 2018

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Emotional Elton John bids America farewell from Dodger Stadium: 'Be kind to each other'

LOS ANGELES – The sun has gone down on Elton John's  final North American show in the place where it all began: Dodger Stadium .

"Tonight is a very special night, a very emotional night for me," said John, wearing a bedazzled jacket with tails and sunglasses, after playing "Philadelphia Freedom" on a grand piano. "It's been a long journey."

John, 75, closed out his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour  in North America on Sunday, a goodbye made even more poignant since Dodger Stadium was the famed setting for John's 1975 breakout stadium concerts. 

More than 47 years ago, John's two electrifying, sequin-outfit-filled concerts at the historic baseball stadium affirmed the rising star's supernova status.

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"Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium" was  livestreamed on Disney+ .

"We are making history tonight, the first-ever global stream on Disney+," John said. "And hello Dodger Stadium!"

Still recovering from a hip injury that forced the tour's postponement in September 2021, John did not move across the stage with ease, much less jump atop his piano as he did in 1975.

But his piano-pounding numbers haven't lost a step as he showed with an extended riff at the end of "Levon." After finishing the song, John slumped over the piano in (possibly) exaggerated exhaustion, only to jump back to his feet to urge more applause. 

The departing superstar had help from musical guests. Brandi Carlile  sang the George Michael role alongside John for "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me." Holding a gold microphone, Carlile never lost her giddy expression. British singer Kiki Dee, joined John to sing their classic duet " Don't Go Breaking My Heart ," nearly five decades after the two performed the same number.

"We decide to reenact that incredible moment," John said.

Dua Lipa and John sang their hit remix "Cold Heart" (the same night the song won an American Music Award for best collaboration).

A cadre of Hollywood stars attended, some walking a pre-concert red carpet, including JoJo Siwa (wearing a "Rocketman" devil suit),   Heidi Klum , Angela Bassett, Courtney B. Vance , Kirsten Dunst, John Stamos , Connie Britton and "Top Gun: Maverick" star Miles Teller. Jude Law, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and Neil Patrick Harris were in the audience.

Britney Spears , who recently collaborated with John on the single "Hold Me Closer," did not make an appearance.

Duet alert: Britney Spears, Elton John hit the dance floor with synths and Auto-Tune for 'Hold Me Closer'

For his encore, John returned to the stage in an outfit that harked back to his classic sparkling (and snug) 1975 Dodgers baseball uniform. The 2022 version was a full silver-shimmering Dodgers robe with the number "1" on the back. Bob Mackie recreated the classic blue baseball cap to finish the throwback look.

John brought his songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin, on stage.

"If it wasn't for him I would not be standing here," he said, before calling for his family to join him.

"I want to spend time with my family; I'll be 76 by the time I stop touring next year," said John, as his partner, David Furnish, brought out their sons, Zachary, 11, and Elijah, 9. "I want to bring them out here to show you exactly why I'm retiring."

The superstar, whose career was originally propelled by Los Angeles crowds, thanked the local audience for the pivotal support. 

"You made me. Without America, I wouldn't be here," he said. "Thank you for all the years of love and generosity. I wish you health and love and prosperity."

'This is probably the icing on the cake': Elton John blown away playing concert on White House lawn

John ended the show with his classic "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." At the song's end, he discarded his silver robe to reveal a tracksuit and stepped onto a lift that raised him up the stage. An animated John was shown on stage screens walking onto a heavenly Yellow Brick Road.

"Be kind to each other," John added. "And farewell."

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Highest-grossing Concert Tours of All Time

Who has hauled the highest-grossing tour total of all time? From Elton John to Harry Styles, find out who made the top 10 of all time.

These days, scoring a ticket to see your favorite music artist has proven to be a Herculean task. With bots replacing scalpers, superfans are struggling more than ever to get a ticket to the show. However, someway, somehow, people are showing up in record numbers.

Looking back on the top 10 highest-grossing tours, the list may surprise you. Harry Styles ‘ most recent marathon Love on Tour propelled him to become the first of his contemporaries to crack the list. However, these numbers are all under fire as Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are expected to shatter tour totals and breaking the billion mark.

As T Swift takes over for Elton John, The Rolling Stones logged the largest sum per show. The British sensations took in an average of $9.4 million per show with 58 performances between 2017 and 2019.

Let’s dive in with the top 10 highest-grossing tours of all time.

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Highest-grossing Tours of All Time: The Top 10

1. taylor swift — eras tour (2023-2024).

• Total Gross: $1.04 billion (via Pollstar )
• Tickets Sold: 4.35 million
• Average Gross per Show: $1.67 million

2. Elton John — Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour (2018-2023)

• Total Gross: $939.1 million
• Tickets Sold: 6 million
• Average Gross per Show: $2.84 million

3. Ed Sheeran — The ÷ (Divide) Tour (2017-2019)

• Total Gross: $776 million
• Tickets Sold: 8.9 million
• Average Gross per Show: $3 million

4. U2 — U2 360° Tour (2009-2011)

• Total Gross: $736 million
• Tickets Sold: 7.3 million
• Average Gross per Show: $6.69 million

5. Coldplay — Music of the Spheres World Tour ( 2022-2023 )

• Total Gross: $617.8 million
• Tickets Sold: 6.3 million
• Average Gross per Show: $5.77 million

6. Harry Styles — Love on Tour (2021-2023)

• Total Gross: $617.3 million
• Tickets Sold: 5 million
• Average Gross per Show: $3.65 million

7. Guns N’ Roses — Not in This Lifetime… Tour (2016-2019)

• Total Gross: $584 million
• Tickets Sold: 5.4 million
• Average Gross per Show: $3.69 million

8. Beyoncé — Renaissance Tour (2023)

• Total Gross: $579 million (via Forbes )
• Tickets Sold: TBD
• Average Gross per Show: $10.34 million

9. The Rolling Stones — A Bigger Bang Tour (2005-2007)

• Total Gross: $558 million
• Tickets Sold: 3.5 million
• Average Gross per Show: $5.02 million

10. The Rolling Stones — No Filter Tour (2017-2019)

• Total Gross: $547 million
• Tickets Sold: 2.9 million
• Average Gross per Show: $9.4 million

10. Coldplay — A Head Full of Dreams Tour (2015-2017)

• Total Gross: $524 million
• Average Gross per Show: $4.56 million

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• Rocket Club

JULY 9, 2023

The Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour

Having toured relentlessly since 1970, playing almost 4,600 shows in 80 countries in the ensuing half a century, elton made the decision in 2017 that it was time to come off the road so he could fully embrace the next important chapter of his life and dedicate more time to his family. the farewell yellow brick road tour subsequently broke records, pushed boundaries and shattered expectations in a five year period of celebratory activity that solidified elton’s status in the very highest echelons of popular culture across the generations..

"It’s time to come off the road so I can fully embrace the next important chapter of my life." Elton John

From Allentown, Philadelphia on 8 September 2018

Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium

Watch Elton's iconic Dodger show and final North American tour show on Disney+

"After the tour finishes, I’m very much looking forward to closing off that chapter of my life by saying farewell to life on the road. I need to dedicate more time to raising my children." Elton John

Whilst the end of one chapter, it is the beginning of the next. Join the Rocket Club to stay up-to-date with all the latest from Elton John with regular news and exclusive offers regularly landing in your inbox.

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