elton john farewell tour warm up

• Pineda Statement About Journey
• Sex Pistol Regrets Firing Matlock
• Lynyrd Skynyrd Cancels Shows
• Aldrich Diagnosed With Cancer
• U2 Announces New Album
• Win Up to $30,000

Elton John Plays Final US Concert: Images, Set List

Elton John  has played his final U.S. concert, delivering a rousing farewell set at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Over the corse of more than two and half hours, the music legend performed many of his most beloved tracks. The night opened with the classic 1974 chart-topping single "Bennie and the Jets," before then rolling into an emphatic rendition of "Philadelphia Freedom." "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues," "Tiny Dancer" and "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)" were among the further highlights in a set that was full of them (complete set list can be found below).

Throughout the concert, Elton made reference to the historical significance of the night and his long relationship with Los Angeles. The singer mentioned that his  first performance on American shores took place at the Troubadour in West Hollywood . Five years later, he’d play a pari of sold-out performances at Dodger Stadium , the legendary gigs ranking among the most famous of his career.

Several celebrity friends joined Elton for his final American performance. Singer Brandi Carlile came out to duet on "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," while Kiki Dee later joined John in the duo's classic duet, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."

After a brief pause, Elton returned for an encore, donning an outfit reminiscent of his famous sequined Dodgers ensemble from 1975. He welcomed pop star Dua Lipa to perform with him on "Cold Heart," the chart-topping hit from last year. Long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin was later brought onstage, much to the delight of the crowd.

As the performance was coming to a close, Elton spoke eloquently about his decision to retire from the road.

“I’m stopping touring, and this will be my last concert in America and Canada," the singer confessed. "And the reason why I’m [done] touring, I think you know, is because I want to spend time with my family. So, I want to bring them out and show you why I’m retiring: David, Zachary and Elijah.” At this point John's husband, David Furnish, and the couple's two sons came on stage, once again eliciting a roar from the crowd.

Elton then gave a heartfelt thanks to his U.S. fans.

"I became successful first in America," the rocker noted, while expressing his gratitude to everyone who purchased his music and attended his concerts. "So I want to thank you for that. You made me. Without America, I wouldn’t be here.”

Before playing his final song of the night, the rock icon delivered one parting message: “I wish you health, and love, prosperity. Be kind to each other. And farewell.”

Elton John, Nov. 20, 2022 at Dodger Stadium

Elton John, Farewell Yellow Brick Road, Los Angeles, Nov. 20, 2022 1. “Bennie and the Jets” 2. “Philadelphia Freedom” 3. “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” 4. “Border Song” 5. “Tiny Dancer” 6. “Have Mercy on the Criminal” 7. “Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)” 8. “Take Me to the Pilot” 9. “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” 10. “Levon” 11. “Candle in the Wind” 12. “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” 13. “Burn Down the Mission” 14. “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” 15. “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” 16. “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” 17. “The Bitch Is Back” 18. “I’m Still Standing” 19. “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” 20. “Crocodile Rock” 21. “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting” 22. “Cold Heart” 23. “Your Song” 24. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”

More From Ultimate Classic Rock

Goodbye, Elton John: Inside the music legend’s final Dodger Stadium concert

• Copy Link URL Copied!

After a dazzling opener on Thursday and a triumphant encore on Saturday (“Saturday, Saaaaturday!”), Elton John returned to Dodger Stadium on Sunday for his final North American bow.

The legendary performer let the sun go down on Los Angeles one last time as he stepped back onto the stage that catapulted him to superstardom nearly 50 years ago . At Sunday’s performance of the North American leg of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, John was joined by collaborators Dua Lipa, Brandi Carlile and Kiki Dee.

But they weren’t the only stars who came out to support the renowned singer and pianist at his grand Dodger Stadium finale, which was available to stream live on Disney+ . Other celebrities in attendance included Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Lizzo, Heidi Klum, Angela Bassett, Jude Law, Billie Jean King, H.E.R., Donatella Versace, Miles Teller, Kirsten Dunst, JoJo Siwa, Connie Britton, Christopher Lloyd, John Stamos, Raven-Symoné and Taron Egerton, who portrayed John in the 2019 biopic “Rocketman.”

“This is a very special night for me — a very emotional night for me — and it’s been a long journey,” John told the crowd.

“I first came here to America in 1970 to the City of Angels … and I played a club called the Troubadour … and it helped me by accelerating my career in America with a review I got from Robert Hilburn for the L.A. Times . So I’ll never forget that.”

From the Archives: Robert Hilburn’s 1970 review of Elton John at the Troubadour — ‘new rock talent’

The year was 1970 and Elton John, then just 23, was making his U.S. debut onstage at the Troubadour in West Hollywood.

May 23, 2019

In line with his previous Farewell Yellow Brick Road shows , John performed several of his greatest hits — from “Tiny Dancer” and “Bennie and the Jets” to “Saturday Night’s Alright” and “Your Song.” He also showcased his supporting acts by peppering in some duets: “Cold Heart” featuring Lipa, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” featuring Carlile and, of course, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” featuring Dee.

“In 1975, my next guest was here and sang with me, and we sang this song,” John said before introducing Dee.

“I thought it would be great to reenact that incredible moment. So I asked her to come over, and she did. Here is Kiki Dee!”

Elton John will take his final bow at Dodger Stadium. So let’s time travel back to his legendary 1975 concert

Beginning Thursday, Elton John will play his final U.S. concerts at Dodger Stadium, where, in 1975, he donned a sequined Dodgers uniform and made music history.

Nov. 16, 2022

Hordes of fans across generations arrived early to the ballpark to beat traffic, which was predictably nightmarish ahead of Thursday and Saturday’s shows. Sunday was no exception.

“I’ve been listening to him since my parents … and then going through the AIDS crisis, he stepped up and took the lead … which really meant a lot to me,” said concertgoer Sean Masse, a 53-year-old registered nurse from South L.A. who was dressed in his own extra-bedazzled version of John’s iconic Dodgers uniform from 1975. “Plus, everything he went through with his sobriety and his drug use … he’s been a beacon of light to everybody.”

“Elton John is an icon,” echoed concertgoer Thad Epting, a 51-year-old car salesman from Canyon Lake who wore a rainbow suit with a feather boa and flashing hat. “He’s one of the greatest songwriters ever, and as a kid I heard countless Elton John songs. … With my kids growing up, we were always singing Elton John songs in the car. So it’s been part of my childhood, part of my adulthood, part of my kids’ childhood.”

In a giant sing-along, the sun goes down on Elton John at Dodger Stadium

One of music’s greatest living showmen returned to the site of perhaps his most famed concert as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.

Nov. 18, 2022

Before saying his final goodbyes, John still had a few more tricks up his sparkly sleeves. Near the end of the show, he welcomed to the stage his longtime songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin, who embraced his friend and gave a warm shout-out to John’s band.

“We’ve been writing together since 1967, and we … love each other more than we’ve ever done before,” John said. “He’s amazing.”

Up next was John’s husband, David Furnish, and their two sons, Elijah Joseph Daniel and Zachary Jackson Levon, who waved to the audience amid thunderous applause. John explained that he has decided to stop touring in order to spend more time with his family, who he brought out “to show you why I am retiring.”

With his Dodger Stadium swan song behind him, John is gearing up for the epilogue of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour — which will resume abroad next year and conclude in Stockholm in July.

“Thank you all for dressing up. It makes me so happy to see when you wear the most fantastic costumes,” John said during his final speech of the night.

“I became successful first in America, and you bought the singles and the albums … the cassettes, the CDs — and more importantly you bought tickets to the shows, which I love more than anything … I want to thank you for that because you made me. Without America, I wouldn’t be here. … I wish you health and love, prosperity. Be kind to each other, OK? And farewell.”

More to Read

Ringo Starr cancels final U.S. shows due to a cold but sends ‘peace and love’ to fans

Sept. 26, 2024

Elton John says a ‘severe eye infection’ has left him with ‘limited vision’ in one eye

Sept. 4, 2024

L.A. reveals some of its Olympics closing ceremony performers

Aug. 10, 2024

The biggest entertainment stories

Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Christi Carras reports on the entertainment industry for the Los Angeles Times. She previously covered entertainment news for The Times after graduating from UCLA and working at Variety, the Hollywood Reporter and CNN Newsource.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Chappell Roan pulls the last-minute plug on two shows: ‘Things have gotten overwhelming’

Sept. 27, 2024

Model claims she was drugged, sexually assaulted and impregnated at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ L.A. home

The wedding marsh: Lana Del Rey reportedly marries alligator tour guide Jeremy Dufrene

Entertainment & Arts

He killed Young Dolph at a Memphis cookie shop, gets life term

Most read in music.

Ex-Bad Boy Records rapper Shyne says Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs ‘destroyed my life’ as mogul awaits trial

Sept. 20, 2024

‘The Office’ star and rock star Creed Bratton keeps himself young by being ‘Mr. Irons in the Fire’

‘A culture of silence and deference’: A sex trafficking expert analyzes the allegations against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

Sept. 18, 2024

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs will remain in infamous N.Y. jail. Judge calls hotel beating video ‘troubling’

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Fitness & Wellbeing
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance Deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Climate 100
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Wine Offers
• Betting Sites
• Casino Sites

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

Elton John review, O2 Arena: A dazzling, emotional goodbye from one of history’s greatest showmen

What could have been a cheap final cash-in turns out to be a rich origin story for the nostalgic singer, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Sign up to Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music

Get our now hear this email for free, thanks for signing up to the roisin o’connor’s email.

In the reflected light of Elton John’s diamond-studded lapels, aided by the hundreds of flashing pairs of Elton specs out in the arena, the end of the road – yellow brick, naturally – is in sight. We’ve fallen for the arena-filling farewell tour scam so often now that it’s an industry joke – Roger Waters is currently on what’s nudgingly billed as his first. But five years and almost 300 shows into Elton John ’s globe straddling long goodbye – Farewell Yellow Brick Road, the highest-grossing tour in history – it’s hard to doubt Sir Reg’s sincerity.

“I need to be with my family,” the ultimate piano man tells the O2 Arena as he says his goodbyes, gazing back fondly at his 500-plus UK shows over 52 years, and forward to his purported final gig in Sweden in July, via a Glastonbury headline set. “I’ve done enough schlepping in my lifetime.”

At 76, the fourth best-selling artist of all time intends to leave us with a sepia portrait of himself as a far younger man. The setlist is almost entirely drawn from his first nine albums; only four of its 23 songs date post-1975, and those come slathered in nostalgia. “I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues”, its overblown arrangement emphasising its fundamental Chas & Dave-ness, comes accompanied by pictures of Seventies couples losing interest in each other; “I’m Still Standing” by a collage of showman Eltons through the ages, from rising phoenix to Louis XIV. For the rest, he time-warps us back to that early Seventies period when one in 50 records sold worldwide were Elton’s, and he bestrode the world’s stage decked out, more often than not, like the Mayor of Munchkinland.

As a diamond bust of himself gazes down from the stage-wide screen – as it has, in effect, over pop culture for five decades – Elton and his formidable band of besuited drummers and double-necked guitarists pile into the plodding brilliance of “Bennie and the Jets”, the glitzy boogie of “Philadelphia Freedom” and a rare “Border Song” dedicated to Aretha Franklin and set to images of human rights champions across history: Franklin, John and Yoko, Mandela, Pussy Riot. This is no cursory plough through the obligatory hits, then, but a deep-ish dive into the foundational era of the grandmaster of the bellow ballad and king of the bespectacled boogie. For every “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” or “The B**** is Back”, there’s a sultry noir “Have Mercy on the Criminal”, 1970’s piano prog powerhouse “Burn Down the Mission”, or a high-drama “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” about Elton’s 1968 suicide attempt. What could have been a cheap final cash-in turns out to be a rich origin story.

Hits do abound, of course. “Tiny Dancer” appears early as testament to a craftsmanship that would be almost unthinkable in today’s please-the-algorithm age, building sonic tension over several minutes to a timeless pay-off of a chorus, delivered with a smile that’s pure Vegas. The crowds, clad in their spangliest frocks and blazers for the occasion, rise to bask in the fireworks of “Rocket Man”’s celestial gospel. “Candle in the Wind” literally glides along – Elton’s motorised piano does a full circuit of the stage while he’s playing it. The rock ballast of “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting” neatly counteracts “Crocodile Rock”’s corny boogie, and the transcendent emotion of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” is only slightly marred by the mass brawl that breaks out in block B2. Sunday night’s perfectly acceptable too, it appears.

Elton’s occasional pub singer tendency to bark rough approximations of his lyrics muddies “Levon” and “Take Me to the Pilot”, but he otherwise seems utterly rejuvenated by the performance. After each major tune, he punches the air or flexes his biceps like he’s just KO’d Tyson Fury – you’d think he could crack on for another 50 years or so. As he emerges for the encore in a jewel-studded dressing gown for a karaoke duet with a virtual Dua Lipa on “Cold Heart” – his disco-fied “Sacrifice” – the final curtain clearly beckons, and we’re in for a teary send-off. Tonight, 52 years in, “Your Song” proves itself still capable of giving the gods goosebumps and a bitter-sweet “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” closes, in typically irreverent fashion, with Elton riding a stairlift to the stars. There’ll be musical life beyond the yellow brick road, he promises, but the stage will certainly seem bereft without one of history’s greatest showmen.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

Elton John Rockets Toward Retirement With a Sparkling Dodger Stadium Finale

Nearly a half-century after rocking dodger stadium for the first time, elton john bid farewell to los angeles with his family on stage at the baseball stadium., by andrew dalton • published november 21, 2022 • updated on november 21, 2022 at 10:00 am.

Forty seven years after he took the stage at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in a sequined-studded baseball uniform as the world's biggest pop star,  Elton John  walked on to the same stage on Sunday night wearing a bedazzled Dodgers bathrobe, a uniform more fitting for a 75-year-old man on the verge of retirement.

The crowd of more than 50,000 roared at the moment that came in the final minutes of the final North American concert of a tour John says will be his last.

📺 Los Angeles news 24/7: Watch NBC4 free wherever you are

“I want to spend time with my family because I’ll be 76 next year, he said. “I want to bring them out and show you why I’m retiring.”

Los Angeles Dodgers Give $1 Million to Elton John AIDS Foundation

‘It's Been a Magical Place for Me': Elton John's Final Tour Revisits LA Glory

Get top local stories in Southern California delivered to you every morning . Sign up for NBC LA's News Headlines newsletter.

He embraced and kissed his husband, David Furnish, while his two sons, 11-year-old Zachary and 9-year-old Elijah, wearing matching Dodgers jackets that read “Elton” on the back, waved gleefully at the crowd.

John then broke into “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” the inevitable final song that gave the “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour its name.

The crowd full of rocket men and rocket women, of blue jean babies and LA ladies, many John's age but plenty in their 20s and 30s and 40s, swayed and sang along as they had throughout the two-hour show during songs like “Rocket Man” and “Tiny Dancer.” Some wiped away tears.

Many were wearing their own sequins and spangles, sparkling spectacles, top hats, feather boas, and in a few cases, Donald Duck suits, representing stages of John's 55-year career.

“Thank you all for dressing up," John said, "it makes me so happy when you wear the most fantastic costumes.”

When that last song ended, John shed the robe and exposed another retirement outfit, a green-and-red tracksuit, and climbed into a small, clear elevator that lifted him into an opening in the backdrop. He could then be seen on a giant video screen walking down a yellow brick road into the distance.

Many others joined John for the occasion.

Kiki Dee took the stage to sing their duet “Don't Go Breaking My Heart.”

“In 1975 , this woman was here with me, and we sang this song,” John said as he brought out Dee. “I asked her to come and recreate that incredible moment.”

John jumped from his usual keyboard spot, grabbed a mic and sang and danced with Dee as his rehearsal piano player Adam Chester pounded the keys in his place.

John played “Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me” in tribute to the four bandmates who have died during his career, and after the first verse brought on another guest, shouting, “ladies and gentleman, Brandi Carlile!”

The moment was an unspoken tribute to another late collaborator, George Michael, who dueted with John in the same way on the song in 1991.

Carlile, who was central to Joni Mitchell  's recent return to the stage, was wearing her own Dodger-themed spangled suit. She belted out her verses and made a “can you believe this?!” face to the crowd as John put his arm around her and the soaked in the applause.

A drum machine pounded as Dua Lipa, in a black dress that contrasted with the sparkles on everyone else, came out for the first of the encores, “Cold Heart,” her 2021 hit with John.

“I can’t tell you how it feels to be 75 years old and to have the No. 1 record around the world,” John said after. “And this was my very first hit, 52 years ago.”

He started playing piano chords and sang, “It’s a little bit funny, this feeling inside," the opening line to 1970's “Your Song.”

“That was your song, Los Angeles!” he shouted after.

About two hours earlier, after taking the stage in a tuxedo with sequins that flared into a flame design and opening the concert with “Benny and the Jets,” he explained the significance of the city to his music.

“All right, this is a very special night for me, a very emotional night for me, and it’s been a long journey, and I first came here to America in 1970 to the City of Angels, Los Angeles, and I played a club called the Troubadour."

The concert, which streamed live on Disney+, was the last of a three-night stand at the stadium (and his 103rd show in the LA area, he told the crowd). The Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour began in September 2018 with the first of the 300-plus scheduled dates. It was suspended in 2020 because of the COVID pandemic and resumed in 2021.

In January, John heads to Australia and New Zealand, then moves on to Britain and Europe. He's set to conclude in Sweden in July, though he's made it clear he is only done traveling, not making music.

Many of those backing him up have been in his band from the start, or very near it, including Nigel Olsson, his drummer since 1969, and Davey Johnstone, his guitarist since 1971, who at age 71 stood at the front of the stage and led the band through a ripping version of “Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting.”

John also provided a rare on-stage glimpse of an even more long-running collaborator, the man who wrote most of the words the crowd sang along with all night, lyricist Bernie Taupin.

“We’ve been writing together now since 1967,” John said as he hugged Taupin, who could not have contrasted with his writing partner more with his bald head and plain, earth-toned coat. “We still love each other more than we’ve ever done before.”

This article tagged under:

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Elton John bids farewell to the road with the last show on his goodbye tour

Juliana Kim

Elton John preformed to over 6 million fans across 330 shows in his farewell tour. Leon Neal/Getty Images hide caption

Elton John preformed to over 6 million fans across 330 shows in his farewell tour.

With glitz, glam and golden confetti, Elton John performed on tour for the last time on Saturday.

The final concert was set in Stockholm, Sweden. It wrapped up the British singer's "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" tour, which spanned over five years, 330 shows and 16 Gucci suits. The tour is considered the highest-grossing in Billboard Boxscore history. Last month, it became the first tour ever to make more than $900 million.

Elton John was moved to tears by a surprise award from President Biden

"What a journey this tour has been and now we find ourselves at the end of it," John wrote on Instagram before the show.

The show included several of John's signature songs, including Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man and Candle in the Wind.

In heart-shaped pink sunglasses, he thanked his fans for their support throughout the decades.

"You have no idea what it means to me, your kindness. I've had the most wonderful career," he said. "How lucky am I to play music. But I wouldn't be sitting here and talking to you if it wasn't for you."

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

The worldwide, farewell tour kicked off in 2018, but was forced to pause in 2020 for nearly two-years due to the pandemic. Last month, the 76-year-old gave his final U.K. performance while headlining the Glastonbury Festival.

In 2021, the international pop star told NPR that he looked forward to retiring from tour so that he could spend more time with his children.

Author Interviews

In 'me,' elton john pulls back the curtain on a storied life.

"Ten years ago, I was going to just tour and make records. And I had nothing planned for the rest of my life except making music and touring," John said. "And then we had two fabulous little boys. And then David, my husband, said, well, what do you want out of life now? Do you still want to tour? I said, no, I don't."

He later said, "As much as I love playing, I want to be with my boys now. I want to be there for them."

• Rocket Club

Final dates announced for the North American Farewell Yellow Brick Road The Final Tour

On the heels of Elton John’s 75th birthday and his triumphant return to the stage this year, the iconic superstar has announced the remaining North American dates for “Elton John Farewell Yellow Brick Road The Final Tour.”  The new dates include additional performances in East Rutherford, NJ, Foxborough, MA, Toronto, ON, Vancouver, BC, and Phoenix, AZ, along with a THIRD show added at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. Due to overwhelming demand, stops in Santa Clara, CA, San Diego, CA, and Tacoma, WA, have also been added.  Tickets go on sale to the public at 10am local time on April 6. Rocket Club members will receive access to an exclusive presale beginning Friday April 1.  Sign up today

Newly announced dates:

Sun, Jul 24, 2022  – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ Wed, July 27, 2022  – Gillette Stadium, Foxboro MA Thu, September 8, 2022  – Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON          Sat, October 8, 2022  – Levi’s® Stadium, Santa Clara, CA Sun, October 16, 2022  – Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA            Mon, October 17, 2022  – Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA          Sat, October 22, 2022 –  BC Place, Vancouver, BC Wed, November 9, 2022  – Petco Park, San Diego, CA             Fri, November 11, 2022  – Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ   Thu, November 17, 2022  – Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

Become a Rocket Club member and exclusive news will make its way directly to your inbox. Be the first to know where Elton will perform next and get your hands on pre-sale tickets.

I agree to Elton John’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy