Elton John made an early exit from the stage during his concert in New Zealand this weekend. The singer was nearly two hours into his show at Auckland’s Mt. Smart Stadium before ending the show due to a loss of voice.
According to the New Zealand Herald, John was about to perform his hit “Daniel” when his voice gave out and had to cut the night short. Apologizing to the crowd and visibly shaken, he was assisted off the stage in tears. The singer went on to explain he had been diagnosed with walking pneumonia and put forth his best effort to continue the show.
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“I want to thank everyone who attended the #EltonFarewellTour gig in Auckland tonight,” John later shared on social media. “I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia earlier today, but I was determined to give you the best show humanly possible. I played and sang my heart out, until my voice could sing no more. I’m disappointed, deeply upset and sorry. I gave it all I had.”
Only a week prior, John appeared healthy and energized while accepting his second Oscar for Best Original Song. He and longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin were recognized for “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,” the jubilant anthem written for John’s musical biopic Rocketman. He performed the song at the ceremony before jetting to Australia to resume his farewell tour.
The legendary composer has two more shows scheduled in Auckland this week, which now remain up in the air depending on his health. His global Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour is scheduled to return to Australia next week for another stretch of shows. In late March, John is slated to embark on another North American leg that will carry him into the early part of the summer. The tour first launched in 2018 and is expected to run through next year after more than 300 shows.
