Elton John, 74, has postponed the UK and Europe dates in his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour to allow himself time to recover, after suffering a fall. He will have an operation on his hip.
Elton released a statement to his Instagram audience detailing his incident: “At the end of my summer break I fell awkwardly on a hard surface and have been in considerable pain and discomfort in my hip ever since. Despite intensive physio and specialist treatment, the pain has continued to get worse and is leading to increasing difficulties moving. I have been advised to have an operation as soon as possible to get me back to full fitness and make sure there are no long-term complications. I will be undertaking a program of intensive physiotherapy that will ensure a full recovery and a return to full mobility without pain”.
John also stated that, although he was putting off his tour for the time being, he would perform at the Global Citizen charity event as planned on September 25th. Elton’s reasoning for this was also explained, as it is only 5 songs being performed, on one night, rather than a three-hour show every night of a tour, and travelling across a continent whilst not performing. Additionally, a feeling of obligation, and not wanting to let a charitable organisation down assisted Elton in coming to this decision.
Furthermore, Elton shared that “After [the Global Citizen event], I will be having the operation to ensure the tour can get back on the road in January of 2022” for the American leg to run as scheduled.
Elton thanked his fans for their patience, and acknowledged their frustrations, after a long slog of paused events, rescheduling and postponements, have interrupted his final, farewell tour. Rounding out his statement, Elton made a solemn promise to his adoring and forbearing fans “I promise you this – the shows will return to the road next year and I will make sure they are more than worth the wait”.
This new postponement means his tour will recommence its UK and Europe legs in 2023. The tour will now span across at least 5 years, after commencing in the US in September 2018.
Early last year, just as Covid-19 really took hold of the world, Elton John released a heartwarming message to his fans, whilst hosting the iHeart Living Room Concert for America on Youtube. You can view this statement here.