Elton John Tour: Still on the Yellow Brick Road

Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour must be setting records…duration, number of shows, number of cities/countries, and number/duration of postponements. What began on September 8, 2018, in Allentown, PA is scheduled to conclude in summer 2023 after about five years and over 300 concerts. The tour schedule is mind boggling:

• September 2018 – March 2019: USA
• May 2019 – July 2019: Europe
• September 2019 – November 2019: USA/Canada (September 10, 2019 Honda Center, Anaheim CA for me)
• November 2019 – March 2020: Australia/New Zealand
• March 2020 – January 2022: COVID-19
• January 2022 – April 2022: USA/Canada (two Dallas shows postponed when Elton tested positive)
• April 2022 – July 2022: Europe
• July 2022 – November 2022: USA/Canada (The final two shows in North America will be at Dodger Stadium on November 19/20 commemorating the iconic show of October 1975)
• January 2023: New Zealand
• March 2023 – July 2023: Europe (rescheduled dates after Elton suffered a hip injury in September 2021)

Elton John was never a favorite of mine; readers of this website will know I lean more toward the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Black Sabbath as far as 1970s classic rock goes. I always liked him, however and proudly own his six classic early 1970s LPs*. The exquisite “Tiny Dancer” sing along in Almost Famous and the Rocketman film were two reminders of Sir Elton’s everlasting appeal. He joined a long “better late than never” concert list of mine when I finally saw him (joining David Bowie, Rolling Stones, Rush, Van Halen, Depeche Mode, Aerosmith, and more). While these artists were all clearly past their heyday, they all delivered memorable performances. Elton John was no exception. In fact, the show was awesome. From the moment I walked into the arena and laid eyes on the spectacular stage set I knew it was going to be a special night. “Bennie and the Jets” started off the three hours and 25 songs of pure nostalgic bliss.

The setlist is the same throughout the tour. It’s a cavalcade of hits and memories. “All the Girls Love Alice,” “Take Me to the Pilot,” “Levon,” and “Burn Down the Mission” were some of my favorites. Since I’ve never seen Madonna, Katy Perry, or Lady Gaga, this was possibly my first ever concert costume change. Coming out of that break to “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” propelled by longtime band members Davey Johnstone (guitar) and Nigel Olsson (drummer) was the pinnacle for me (bass, keyboards, and two percussionists complete the band). “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” and “I’m Still Standing” were more poignant than ever.

Often, it’s the raw, messy, and unpredictable nature of rock n’ roll that I find appealing, such as the energy and chaos of the early punk bands. This was just the opposite – every minute planned out, same songs every show, and a choreographed production. Even long scrolling closing credits after Elton went onto the yellow brick road for the last time. But it was the perfect platform for celebrating the legacy of a 50-year music career. His voice has seen better days, just like all his rock contemporaries after five decades of singing. But the spectacle and joy of this retrospective is a concert for the ages.

*Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection, Madman Across the Water, Honky Chateau, Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

D² Rating ◼◼◼◼◩

Trivia: What is Elton John’s real name?

Answer: Reginald Kenneth Dwight

Trivia 2: What Elton John song is the biggest-selling single in the US/UK since the singles charts began in the 1950s?

Answer: “Candle in the Wind,” the 1997 remake in honor of Princess Diana (the 1973 original was about Marilyn Monroe)