‘It’s So Nice To Have A Hit When You’re 74’ Says Elton John As Farewell Tour Resumes

Saturday night in Chicago, Elton John managed to turn a 20,000 seat arena into an electrifying nightclub.

“It’s so nice to have a hit when you’re 74,” joked the affable star on stage at United Center. “And that’s my latest hit!” he said referencing “Cold Heart.”

From his most recent studio album, October’s The Lockdown Sessions, his 32nd, “Cold Heart” features English singer and pop star Dua Lipa on a dance track which marks John’s first UK #1 in 15 years, making him the first solo act to crack the the top 10 on the singles chart there in six consecutive decades.

The track ultimately went to #1 in 14 countries and drove The Lockdown Sessions into the American top 10 nearly 55 years after the release of his debut album. Closing in on 600 million streams on Spotify alone, the new track is currently John’s most popular on the streaming platform, proof positive of an appeal that now spans generations.

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Reemerging for encore in an ornate robe, one of several wardrobe changes, John brought the Chicago crowd back to its feet Saturday as he delivered the new song, pulsating bass driving a mash-up which draws from his past, channeling cuts like “Rocket Man” and “Sacrifice.”

Recovering from a bout of COVID at the end of January which further delayed a handful of previously postponed dates of his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour, John was excited and engaged on stage in Chicago.

“Chicago, it’s so great to be here after about 760 days!” he joked. “Thank you for being so patient. It’s our eighth show back from 2020 and we’re having a blast!”

When John last performed at United Center, in October of 2018, part of this same farewell tour, the crowd sat for the majority of the show, lavishing the singer with the occasional standing ovation.

Saturday, however, the crowd on the floor was on its feet throughout, dancing in the aisles as live music continues to make its way back from the cancellation of quarantine.

From go, John rolled out the hits, nary a deep cut to be found as he bids his fans adieu.

Midway through “Bennie and the Jets,” John paused and turned to stare down those seated behind him along the side of the stage, rapturous applause as his longtime seven piece band, featuring a trio of percussionists, jammed out the song’s ending, the incisive guitar of bandleader Davey Johnstone cutting through the legendarily funky piano pop.

Johnstone donned a double neck 12 string guitar for “Tiny Dancer” early in the set and was at his best on cuts like “Love Lies Bleeding” later.

“Philadelphia Freedom” and “I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues” gave way to “Border Song,” during which iconic imagery of people like Jerry Lee Lewis and Rosa Parks ran on the massive video screen behind the stage. “This is the first country I had ever had any success in,” mused John prior to a solo rendition of his first American hit, beaming with pride as he recalled Aretha Franklin’s cover.

Fans recording concert moments from their phone has become commonplace in the live setting. But the amount of phones out as John and company put forth “Rocket Man” was truly stunning Saturday in Chicago, more evidence of his increasing crossover appeal following the release of the Rocketman film, which grossed nearly $200 million at the box office in 2019. On stage in Chicago, Johnstone’s slide guitar took on an eerie, intergalactic tone following a piano interlude midway through the song.

“This song is dedicated to my fans,” read the video screen as John settled in for a rollicking, slightly sped up take on “Crocodile Rock.” The pianist got up from his bench to serenade the frenzied crowd as they carried lead vocal on the song’s legendary sing-a-long chorus.

Few artists can hold a candle to the murderer’s row of hits Elton John holds in his back pocket, wrapping up a sold out second night in Chicago with a truly rocking closing quartet in “The Bitch is Back,” “I’m Still Standing,” “Crocodile Rock” and, appropriately, “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.”

Featuring video behind the band of famous fighters ranging anywhere from Rocky Balboa to Muhammad Ali, John channeled a youthful vigor on the latter, pushing back his bench as he stood up, leaning into a spirited take on the track as confetti fell.

“Thank you so much!” said John on stage, clearly touched by the deafening applause as the group headed for the finish line Saturday night in Chicago.

While it began in 2018, “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” is a lengthy affair. John’s final live series continues through North America this spring before heading to Europe, all prior to a massive U.S. stadium run later this year, ultimately wrapping up in Finland in 2023.

“Wow,” marveled John Saturday in Chicago before closing with “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” “Everything you’ve thrown my way, I just wish you love and happiness. I can’t think you enough. I’m genuinely moved by you tonight.”