Elton John Caps Off Final Tour After 50 Years: ‘It’s Been My Lifeblood To Play’

Jul 10, 2023

Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight) is an English singer best known for his fantastical, theatrical piano playing and stage presence. He earned the nickname "Rocket Man" after achieving tremendous commercial success with his hit single of the same name. 

He's since released dozens of albums, which launched his other well-known tunes, like "Your Song," "Candle in the Wind," "Tiny Dancer," "Crocodile Rock," and "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues," onto the radio. 

The legendary singer-songwriter won an Academy Award at the 2020 Oscars ceremony, and two special boys were more than excited to see him win: his sons, Zachary and Elijah. John and his longtime collaborator, Bernie Taupin, were awarded the Oscar for Best Original Song for their song "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from "Rocketman," a biopic based on John's very own life. 

At 76, John is still packing huge stadiums across the world with his music. In 2018, he started the final tour of his career, the "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" tour. By the time the concert tour ends, John would have performed 333 concerts from this tour alone. On Jul. 8, 2023, John capped off his final tour performance in Stockholm, Sweden, culminating his decades-long of commercial success and impact on the music and entertainment industry. 

In his final concert stop in Sweden, it was a memorable night for the thousands of fans present on the show, as there were special surprises that had everyone thrilled and emotional. Keep on reading to learn more about what happened in John's final concert performance. 

Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 1947 in Pinner, Middlesex, John started pursuing music at the age of 11. Unbeknownst to many, John lived in a musically-inclined family. His father served in the Royal Air Force and was also a trumpet player with the Bob Millar Band, a semi-professional big band that performed during military dances back in the day. 

At 11, he then entered the Royal Academy of Music. He attended Saturday classes while he enjoyed playing Frédéric Chopin and Johann Sebastian Bach and singing in the choir.

Exposed to music at a young and tender age, John became one of the biggest and most decorated recording artists in the world. He is hailed as a pop and queer icon for his contributions and impact both in the music industry and in the LGBTQ community. 

Aside from being a very distinguished lyricist and singer, John is also a very well-loved performer. Throughout his entire career, John has had at least 50 concert tours, and he has performed over 4,000 concert performances in more than 80 countries.

In 2018, John kickstarted his final concert tour of his music career. Titled "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" Tour, John's one last hurrah extended over to at least five years. Supposedly, the show was expected to last have 333 shows; among those is his final UK performance at the Glastonbury Festival 2023 and his final performance at the Tele2 Arena in Sweden. 

According to Billboard, John's "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" Tour is the highest-grossing concert tour in music history as it recently breached $900 million already, eclipsing Ed Sheeran and U2, who placed second and third, respectively. 

This record-setting history is a feat on its own, which is why the final Sweden stop of John at the Tele2 Arena was one of his most memorable ones. 

As for his band, John never forgot to pay tribute to the people who have been instrumental in bringing his music to life, including his dear collaborator for decades, Taupin. 

"They're really incredible," he continued, "and they are the best, I tell you, the best."

Because of his longevity in the industry, it is no surprise that other acts, artists, and performers draw inspiration from John's artistry and bravery to stand out. Chris Martin, the vocalist of the Grammy-winning band Coldplay, gave a special tribute to John. 

"From all the bands and artists you've helped and inspired, we love you so much. We are so grateful for everything you've done for the Aids Foundation, anytime you've been kind to anybody," Martin said. Notably, Coldplay was in the nearby city of Sweden, Gothenburg, having their concert. 

As he performed his hit songs in front of a reported 45,000 audience, John couldn't help but be emotional as he gave a speech before finally singing "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" for his finale song. 

"I've had the most wonderful career, beyond belief," he reflected tearily. "Fifty years of pure joy playing music. How lucky am I? But I wouldn't be sitting here and talking to you if it wasn't for you. You bought the singles, the CDs, the albums, the cassettes…More importantly, you bought the tickets to the shows. You know how much I love to play live. It's been my lifeblood to play for you guys. You've been absolutely magnificent."

What can you say about Elton John's final concert performance? Are you a fan of him? What's your favorite song of his? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other loved ones out there!