Elton cancels shows as he battles illness
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Elton John canceled his two remaining New Zealand shows late Tuesday as he continued to suffer from a bout of pneumonia.
The shows have been rescheduled for next year. Earlier this week, John needed to cut short a performance in Auckland after he lost his voice and needed medical help on stage.
John said in a statement Tuesday he was “incredibly disappointed” and sent his sincerest apologies to his fans. He said that at this stage, he is planning to play his scheduled shows in Australia, which is where his farewell tour moves to next.
Video clips posted online by fans at Sunday night’s performance showed John breaking down in tears as he told the cheering crowd he couldn’t go on any longer. The 72year-old singer said he had walking pneumonia and was assisted off stage.
“Despite the best efforts of a performer who never wants to disappoint his fans, upon further consultation from doctors and specialists, it has this evening been decided that Sir Elton John’s two remaining Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, performances will be rescheduled to Friday 15th and Saturday 16th January 2021,” a statement from Chugg Entertainment, the tour’s promoters, said. John said he’d be back. “I always want to be able to give 100 percent, and I’m afraid that, right now, I’m not able to do that. I am grateful for the love and loyalty I have been shown by all of you, and I can’t wait to return in January next year to perform my final New Zealand shows,” he said in his statement.
The concerts were part of John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. After the New Zealand shows, John is scheduled for seven performances in Australia before traveling to the U.S. and Canada.
John had told the crowd he was ill Sunday but that he didn’t want to miss the show, according to the New Zealand Herald. He slumped on a stool and required medical attention but recovered and continued to play. Later, he said he realized he had no voice left and exited the stage.