Elton John bid farewell to his millions of fans on Saturday night, assuring them that they would forever remain in his "head, heart, and soul" as he concluded his extensive farewell tour in
Stockholm with a powerful rendition of his hit song, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road."
The 76-year-old music icon, whose career spans over 50 years and nearly 4,600 performances worldwide, expressed his gratitude to the audience at Sweden's Tele2 Arena, describing their support as his "lifeblood." He acknowledged the exceptional talents of his current band and crew, many of whom have been with him on tour for an extended period, praising them as the best in the business.
Elton John opened the show with the energetic "Bennie and the Jets" and delighted the crowd with an array of his greatest hits, including "Philadelphia Freedom," "Tiny Dancer," "Rocket Man," and "Candle in the Wind."
The Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour commenced in North America in 2018 and has taken Elton John around the globe, captivating over six million fans. One of the tour's most memorable moments was his headline performance at the Glastonbury Festival last month, drawing one of the largest crowds in the festival's history and attracting millions of viewers through a live broadcast.
During his concert in Stockholm, Elton John received a heartfelt video message from Coldplay, who were concurrently performing in the nearby city of Gothenburg. Chris Martin expressed the band's immense admiration and gratitude for Elton's support and inspirational contributions, particularly highlighting his work with the AIDS Foundation.
With ticket sales surpassing $900 million (£701 million), Elton John's farewell tour has become one of the highest-grossing concert tours in history, as reported by Billboard magazine. As the grand finale drew to a close, Elton reflected on his extraordinary life, sharing with the audience his "52 years of pure joy playing music." While confirming that he would no longer embark on extensive tours, he left open the possibility of future one-off performances.
Expressing his desire to cherish his family, sons, and husband, Elton John emphasized that he has earned the opportunity to appreciate the fruits of his labor. Photo by Georges Biard, Wikimedia commons.