Sir Elton Hercules John has dominated rock and pop music for more than half a century. With over 300 million sales worldwide, the 75-year-old is the best-selling solo artist of all time, with only Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson recordings. Since 2018, the music legend has embarked on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour, the final series of concerts concluding next year during the 50th anniversary of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
The pandemic and its personal health issues have delayed parts of the world tour over the past two years. However, Elton took it all in his stride, showing great joy when he opened BST Hyde Park with his own line-up of titles last night, following his specially selected supporting works for Rina Sawayama, Gabriels, Let’s Eat Grandma, Berwyn, Thomas Headon and Tom A Smith and Juanita Oka.
Wearing sparkly diamond tails, and with a radiant smile on his face, the star took to the stage with his incredibly talented old rock band — some of whom have been performing with him for 50 years.
The crowd cheered as he opened his generous ensemble, which lasted over two hours, with Bennie and the Jets. Both songs had the music icon get up and bow down, giving the enthusiastic audience a wave.
Elton’s iconic stage presence at his grand piano was accompanied by an eclectic mix of animation behind and alongside the stage, with a giant tree Farewell Yellow Brick Road looming.
Highlights included surreal caricatures resembling a yellow submarine and a huge fiery red flame.
The lively group’s first half saw the likes of Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man, and Take Me to the Pilot rocking the crowd, as the star and his band improvised long stretches of boogie woogie to such songs, to the delight of everyone.
At one point, his grand piano began driving on stage before making a turn in an impressive display of practical effects. If the singer ever needed a scooter to commute in his final retirement, we hope this is it!
READ MORE: BST Hyde Park Elton John, Rolling Stones, Eagles: theater times, maps
Things slowed down a bit as the renditions touched like a candle in the original wind, with stunning shots of the late Marilyn Monroe behind him.
Elton also performed Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me as a beautiful tribute to George Michael, with color circles expanding on the screen above.
At this point in the show, the fast-paced favorites that helped make his Rocketman biopic so well came out, with an intense glow.
The crowd went ballistic as I began My Still Standing, accompanied by flashes of Elton’s stunning career, including self-infringing cartoons like The Simpsons and South Park.
Crocodile Rock and Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting song “Saturday! Saturday!” Back in the star leading the chorus.
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Next, Elton and his indefatigable band took a bow, before returning with the singer in a formal gown, ready to cool off not just the show, but his stellar career — willingly drawing the curtain six decades later.
A touching finale that got us all emotional, ending with Your Song and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, before he soared “to the sky” on a podium and vanished with a wave.
He has a year to stay on his last world tour, but Elton John won’t let the sun go down on himself until he’s ready. And when he does, he can look back with pride at his invaluable contribution to music.
The Rolling Stones, Eagles, Adele, Pearl Jam and Doran Duran also perform at American Express where BST Hyde Park presents this summer and tickets can be purchased over here.
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