Elton John opens up about 'emotional' final tour
Farewell Yellow Brick Road will conclude in 2023
Last updated 28th Oct 2021
For the first time, Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio came together for an exclusive interview of Sir Elton John by radio presenter Fleur East. During the chat we asked about how Elton is feeling about his final tour, Farewell Yellow Brick Road.
The tour started in 2018, and will conclude in 2023. Elton John told us: "I desperately want to get out there and play to people. Because I love doing that and I want to finish the tour in 2023 with a bang. And go out like that because I won't be touring after that. It's so it's important to finish what I started."
During lockdown, Elton John was busy creating his new album 'The Lockdown Sessions' which came out on 22nd October and features songs with music icons like Stevie Wonder, Stevie Nicks and Brandi Carlile to name a few.
Like many artists, Elton had missed live shows and reflected on how he’s feeling about heading out for the last time: "It's going to be very emotional and very joyous. I loved going to live shows, you miss it, you miss you know going nuts. It's a way of letting off steam, and music is such a healer and it brings people together. So, I'm looking forward to it."
When asked what he would like his fans to take away from his final tour, Elton revealed: "I want them to have happy memories and talk about it to their kids and say, 'you know he really cared about us', because I do care about my fans and I've always given 150% if I can. I just want them to have a joyous time. And I want them to go back and maybe listen to some things they haven't heard before on my old catalogue."
Fleur asked him if this really was the last tour, and he said: "I can assure you it's the final tour, I will be doing some charity shows if I'm asked, but I'm not touring again. I'll be 76 when I finish, I need to be with my family."
He went on to talk about what he will be doing after the tour ends and said: "Who knows? Life's full of surprises, I wasn't expecting to do a record this year and look what happened, so that's the great thing about life."
Watch Elton John talk about his final tour:
How can I get tickets to see Elton John's tour?
Tickets for Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour are still available to buy for the 2023 dates.
Scroll through some of Elton John's best tour moments:
Elton John - 1970s
In 1970, Elton John embarked on a world tour to support his self-titled second album. Elton started the tour in March 1970, performing around London before moving on to America, where he performed at the Troubadour Club in West Hollywood. He finished the tour in December 1970, returning to London for his final night.
Watch Elton John performing in 1970.
Elton John - 1974
Elton John on his North American Tour in 1974. Despite having a year 'off' in 1973, Elton and his band launched their biggest American tour yet, which was his eighth in just four years.
In 1974, his tour set list included songs such as 'Candle In The Wind', 'Rocket Man', 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me', 'Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)' and many more of his hits released in previous years.
Watch Elton John performing in December 1974.
Elton John and John Lennon at Madison Square Garden, NYC
Two iconic singers, Elton John and John Lennon, are pictured here at The Record Plant, NYC, where they recorded their track 'Whatever Gets You Thru The Night' - two days before the Madison Square Garden show on 28th November 1974.
Watch Elton John and John Lennon perform at Madison Square Garden in 1974.
Elton John - 1976
Elton John gave a spectacular performance at the Capitol Center, Washington DC, in July 1976 as part of his 'Louder Than Concorde Tour'. The tour saw him performing across the world starting in the UK in cities such as Leeds, Manchester and Preston, before moving on to London, Glasgow and Cardiff.
He then started the US leg of his tour, where he performed in many cities, ending in New York City four months after he started his tour.
Elton John at Princess Diana's funeral - 1997
Following the death of Princess Diana in 1997, Elton John re-wrote his iconic song 'Candle in the Wind' and performed it at her funeral which was held at Westminster Abbey. This is the only live performance of that version of the song that he's done publicly.
Watch Elton John perform at Princess Diana's funeral in 1997.
Elton John - 2006
In 2006 between May and September, Elton John was on tour in Europe, performing a string of 19 shows in Ireland, Germany and France with the majority in England. The setlist featured many of his biggest hits such as 'Rocket Man' and 'Tiny Dancer'.
Watch Elton John performing in 2006.
Elton John - 2008
After finishing his European tour in 2006, Elton went on to start an epic tour in September 2006, continuing until January 2008. The tour called 'The Captain and the Kid Tour' saw him performing in the USA and Canada before going on to Europe and then to South Africa.
Elton John and Lady Gaga stop traffic in West Hollywood - 2016
The Elton John stopped traffic in California in 2016 performing at a pop-up concert where he brought out Lady Gaga as a special guest.
Performing a whole host of hits including 'Rocket Man' and 'Saturday' Elton John held the concert to thank the city of West Hollywood for supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation and its Academy Awards Viewing Party over many years.
Watch Elton John and Lady Gaga perform together in 2016.
Elton John and Olly Alexander - 2021
Elton John took to the stage alongside Years & Years star Olly Alexander at the 2021 BRIT Awards, with the pair performing a rendition of Pet Shop Boys' hit song 'It's A Sin'.
The star-studded performance reportedly came about after Elton was inspired by Olly's performance as Ritchie Tozer in Channel 4's hard-hitting drama It's A Sin earlier that year.
Watch Elton John and Olly Alexander perform together in 2021.
2023: Glastonbury Festival
Sir Elton gave the performance of a lifetime at Glastonbury 2023 - somehow having never played there before! The incredible two-hour set marked Elton's final live performance in the UK, as part of his 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' tour, featuring all his classics as well as some duets with other artists.
Watch Elton John perform 'Rocket Man' at Glastonbury 2023.
Now Read:
A look back at some of Elton John's most iconic performances
11 of the best Elton John songs of all time
12 of Elton John's biggest career moments