Elton John, an iconic figure in the music industry, graced the stage on Saturday night, asserting that it marked the final show of his illustrious touring career. The renowned and award-winning musician, as per information from his official website, performed in Stockholm, Sweden, purportedly for the last time as a touring artist.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday, the British music legend shared a video capturing his thoughts on the incredible journey of his farewell tour. With heartfelt words, he expressed, “What a journey this tour has been, and now we find ourselves at the end of it. Tonight is the final night.” The video also included a poignant clip from a 2018 interview with Anderson Cooper of CNN, in which the musician revealed his retirement from touring, emphasizing that it would be his last time embarking on global performances.
Initially slated to conclude in 2021, the “Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour” commenced in 2018 but faced delays due to the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic. However, the tour pressed on, heralded as a monumental chapter in John’s career, signifying his farewell after more than five decades on the road.
This extraordinary tour encompassed over 300 awe-inspiring shows that attracted a staggering audience of more than 6 million fans worldwide, as highlighted in John’s Instagram video. As a remarkable conclusion to his touring endeavors, the 76-year-old maestro headlined the prestigious Glastonbury Festival, cementing his final appearance in the United Kingdom during this momentous journey.
During a revealing 2018 interview with Cooper, Elton John attributed his decision to retire from the demanding life of touring to his unwavering commitment to family. John, alongside his husband David Furnish, has two sons, and he elaborated on the pivotal role they played in his retirement choice. “We had children and had changed our lives, and in 2015, we sat down with their school schedule and we said I’m going to miss too much of this,” John shared with Cooper. While bidding farewell to life on the road, the tireless musician made it clear that his creative flame would continue to burn bright as he delved into new musical ventures.