VETERAN DRUMMER NOT READY TO QUIT
ELTON John’s longestserving drummer Nigel Olsson has a secret wish.
The charismatic musician, who has amassed his own fans around the world courtesy of his role in the Rocket Man’s band, wants the Farewell Yellow Brick Road victory lap to keep going beyond its threeyear schedule.
The tour, which launches its three-month run in Australia in Perth today and lands at Mt Duneed Estate next Saturday, kicked off on September 8 last year and is booked to finish at London’s O2 arena on December 17, 2020.
“I am personally hoping it isn’t the farewell tour because these shows have e been going so incredibly; there’s e’s a special feeling to it,” t,” he says as he packs for his Australian soojourn.
“I don’t really y want it to end so I am hoping there will be a rest after and maybe we’ll come back and do o some one-off resiidencies all around und the world. I’m keeping eping my fingers crossed.” d.”
John has made it clear the reason for retiring ng from the rigours of touring the h globe lb — as opposed to performing — is his family, with the 72-year-old wishing to spend more time with husband David Furnish and d their hi two sons Zh Zachary and Elijah.
Olsson, alongside the Farewell Yellow Brick Road band’s longest serving members, musical sic director Davey Johnstone and an percussionist Ray Cooper, have ha been fixtures in John’s musical m life since the late 60s.
The drummer has been getting the call to get the band back together — which usually comes from Johnstone — since 1969 when he was hang