Elton John is coming back to Columbia, but fans will have to wait ‘a long, long time’
Elton John’s farewell tour is coming back to Columbia.
But like the lyrics in his iconic hit “Rocket Man,” fans who want to see the music legend at Colonial Life Arena will have to wait “a long, long time.”
The rescheduled date for the “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour stop in Columbia is April 20, 2022, according to the arena website.
Elton John was originally set to perform in Columbia on May 22, but those plans were scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic, as cases of COVID-19 increased in South Carolina and across the world.
Ticketholders for the postponed performance will receive new event information, Colonial Life Arena officials said. All original tickets will be honored at the rescheduled performances.
Tickets for the 2022 show are on sale at Ticketmaster, and prices range from $69 to $1,452.
The original plan was for John to bring the second leg of his farewell tour back to Columbia for a concert in 2021. But the wait will be a little longer, as the tour is set to resume overseas in the fall of 2021 before returning to North America in January 2022, officials said in a news release.
“I’ve been enjoying my time at home with the family while the world navigates its way through the COVID pandemic. But, I really miss being on the road and performing for my beloved fans in my ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour,” John said on Facebook. “While the scientists are making great progress, we are making big plans for a return to touring that will allow us to ensure the health and safety of everyone. ... Don’t worry about me. I’m using my downtime to keep myself fighting fit and healthier than ever. I’m raring to go!”
This was the second scheduled Columbia show on the farewell tour after Elton John performed at Colonial Life Arena in March of 2019.
“I just want to say South Carolina, thanks for everything you’ve ever given me,” John told the sold-out crowd at Colonial Life Arena as he left the stage on March 13, in what was then believed to be the final live show in Columbia in his 50-year career.
Before the tour was sidetracked, fans saw John perform some of the most beloved songs from his playlist, including “Bennie and the Jets,” “Rocket Man,” “Tiny Dancer,” and “Philadelphia Freedom.”
In his last show in Columbia John played 24 songs in a nearly three-hour performance, but still apologized if he didn’t play everyone’s favorites.
“If I do, we’ll be here til 3 in the morning,” John said.
The piano player’s career includes 38 gold records, 31 platinum and multi-platinum albums, more than 50 Top 40 hits and sales of more than 300 million records worldwide, according to a news release. He has won five Grammys, a Tony and an Oscar for his music, and has delivered more than 4,000 performances in 80 countries since launching his first tour in 1970.
Other events on Colonial Life Arena’s 2021 calendar include a rescheduled Jimmy Buffett concert on April 22, an Alabama concert on April 24, and a performance by Nickelodeon TV star Jojo Siwa on Aug. 6.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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This story was originally published September 23, 2020 at 9:46 AM.
