Elton John took a heartfelt moment to honor Neil Diamond during a press conference on January 24, where he announced his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour—his final journey on the road before retiring from live performances.
The tribute came just a day after Diamond revealed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, which unfortunately forced him to cancel the remaining dates of his 50th anniversary tour in Australia and New Zealand.
“I want to pay my respects to him,” Elton said, recalling how Diamond had once helped launch his career. “He introduced me at the Troubadour in LA just because he liked my record. He was a massive star then, and he still is now. I’ll reach out to him personally, but I want to say publicly—I love him and I can’t thank him enough for what he did for me.”
Elton also made it clear that his farewell tour is truly his last. “I’m not Cher,” he joked, referencing her multiple comeback tours. “This is the end.” The three-year global tour kicks off in the US this September, with UK dates scheduled for 2019 and 2020. Tickets will go on sale later this year.
“Performing live has always fueled me,” Elton added. “But after this tour, it’s time to close that chapter and focus on my family. I want to be there to raise my kids and enjoy life off the road.”
With back-to-back announcements from these two iconic artists, it’s clear an era is ending—but their music, and the memories they’ve created, will continue to inspire fans for generations.
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