Brian Kelly: Elton John's curtain call in New Zealand

Elton John will be returning to NZ next year with his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. Photo / Supplied

Elton John fans received some exciting news at the beginning of the week that he will be returning to New Zealand next year with his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.

Better still, we won't have to wait to find out who is playing the famous Mission Concert next year ... because it's the legend himself.

As part of the global tour by the pop legend, who was recently crowned by Billboard as the most successful performing male solo artist of all time, there will be three shows in New Zealand starting with a concert in Dunedin on February 4, then Mission in Napier on February 8 and Mt Smart in Auckland on Sunday, February 9.

The farewell tour began in the US in September and over the course of the next three years he will perform more than 300 shows across five continents, with stops in Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Australia and New Zealand.

The celebrated songwriter, singer and consummate showman will deliver his famed songbook to spellbound audiences on his last tour.

"Playing live to other human beings is the greatest gift any artist could ever have," said Sir Elton at his Chicago show.

Audiences will experience a rare glimpse into Elton's life, and the personal meaning behind some of his greatest hits, via never-before-seen images and videos displayed throughout the show from his incredible 50-year career.

Complete with a new stage production, and tour wardrobe designed by Italian fashion house Gucci, Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour is intimate and personal, while spectacular and daring.

Elton will be joined on stage by longstanding band member and drummer Nigel Olsson, who was part of Elton's original three-piece band in 1970, and Davey Johnstone on guitar who first recorded with Elton in 1971.

By the time he reaches our shores it will be 50 years of shows since his career began in 1969. He has performed a staggering 4000-plus shows in more than 80 countries.

His career has seen him record 33 studio albums and he has sold more than 350 million albums worldwide.

His first album, Empty Sky, was released in 1969 and over the course of the next four decades he has released albums like Tumbleweed Connection (my favourite), Madman Across the Water, Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road which came out in October 1973 and was his seventh studio album. It sold more than 31 million copies worldwide.

Across his career he has had 57 top 40 hits, which is only second to Elvis Presley in total. Nine of those achieved the number one spot.

Elton's collaboration with lyricist Bernie Taupin is also legendary. They have been partners since 1967 and in a recent TV special Bernie said in that time they have never fallen out, which in that industry and with someone like Elton is incredible.

With the tour earning rave reviews at sell-out shows across North America, Elton John's curtain call will be the last chance to catch this legendary performer in New Zealand.

Coast is proud to present Elton John bringing his tour to Auckland, Napier and Dunedin in February 2020. Listen to Coast for your chance to win tickets.

Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour plays Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium on February 4 next year, Hawke's Bay's Mission Estate Winery on February 8 and Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium on February 9. Tickets go on sale at 9am, February 15.
Fans should visit oznz.eltonjohn.com to sign up for pre-sales and all the latest tour information.