LOS ANGELES — The sun sets on Elton John’s final North American show at the place where it all began: Dodger Stadium.
“Tonight is a very special night, a very emotional night for me,” John said after playing “Philadelphia Freedom” on the center stage of a grand piano and donning a dazzling jacket with tails and sunglasses. . “It’s been a long journey.”
John, 75, wrapped up his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour of North America on Sunday, marking his final US gig. The “Rocket Man” singer’s third night at Dodger Stadium is even more emotional as the venue serves as the famous setting for John’s 1975 concerts at the stadium.
More than 47 years ago, John’s two electrifying, glitter-filled concerts at the historic baseball stadium cemented the rising star’s supernova status (as seen in his 2019 biopic “Rocketman”).
“Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium” streams live on Disney+.
“We’re making history tonight,” John said.
Class : Elton John’s 25 Best Songs of All Time
Sunday’s Disney+ live stream will feature guest performances from Dua Lipa, Brandi Carlile and Kiki Dee, John’s duet partner for one of his biggest hits, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.”
A host of stars walked the red carpet for John’s farewell concert, including Lizzo, Heidi Klum, Angela Bassett, Courtney B. Vance, Idina Menzel, John Stamos, Connie Britton and the ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ star Miles Teller.
Britney Spears, who recently collaborated with John on their single “Hold Me Closer,” isn’t scheduled – let alone performing.
Duo alert:Britney Spears, Elton John hit the dance floor with synths and Auto-Tune for ‘Hold Me Closer’
“If there are surprise guests, we’ll be surprised too,” says Gabe Turner, one of the concert’s executive producers. “We are happy with the guests we have. They will bring the house down.”
“It’s a huge undertaking,” says executive producer Ben Winston. “After such an incredible career, it’s Elton saying goodbye to America. This is the last show of the last tour. There’s an important historical and emotional moment to that. And those 1975 concerts don’t what to add to that. When you think of Elton John on tour, you think of this show.”
‘That’s probably the icing on the cake’:Elton John stunned while performing on the White House lawn
The Disney+ gig began with a 20-minute pre-recorded interview with John and his partner David Furnish explaining why “he’s hanging up his touring boots,” says Winston.
The video included contributions from longtime fan chair Joe Biden and celebrities such as David Beckham and Billie Eilish.
As for the million dollar question of whether John will continue to perform, Furnish spoke to Billboard ahead of Sunday’s show and said, “I know for a fact that he won’t be touring in any capacity. what you’re going to see is the possibility of a one-off special or a small residency in one location for a limited time.”
“Containment sessions”:Elton John captures happy couples with Brandi Carlile, Stevie Wonder
0