Iconic performers Elton John and Billy Joel announced earlier this fall that they would revive their acclaimed and fast-selling Face 2 Face concert series in early 2009. Now the piano rockers have unveiled the first round of dates for the outing, which kicks off March 2 at Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL, and continues through March 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.
Other highlights for the jaunt across the Southern states and West Coast include a March 17 gig at the BOK Center in Tulsa, OK, and a March 19 performance at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX. According to a statement released by the artists, another round of U.S. dates will follow in May and then again later in 2009.
Most general on-sales for the currently confirmed dates began on Saturday, December 6, and Monday, December 8. The whole tour is expected to stretch over two years, with more North American and international dates coming sometime in 2010.
According to a statement on John’s Web site, each concert will open with a series of duets, with the “Piano Man” and “Rocket Man” seated at twin pianos and trading vocals. Joel and John will follow the title “face to face” routine with separate sets before closing the night with another joint performance backed by both artists’ supporting bands.
“It’s two people for the price of one,” John said during a televised appearance on “The View” in November. “Our ticket prices are the same as you’d see anyone else, but there’s two of us. In this day and age, we hope to be getting people value for their money.”
While the series is a good value for fans, the performers also enjoy the pairing, which a joint statement describes as the most successful and longest-running in pop history. Joel is quoted as saying, “The great thing about performing with Elton is that he is such a good piano player and that makes me have to dig deep to keep up with him, not to mention I’ve got the best seat in the house — only one piano away from Elton John!”
Joel and John first launched their Face 2 Face tour during the 1994-95 season. The piano rockers later revived the show in 2001 with dates booked through 2003’s sold-out 24-date trek.
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Elton John & Billy Joel itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)
| March 2 | Jacksonville, FL | Veterans Memorial Arena |
| March 5 | Tampa, FL | St. Pete Times Forum |
| March 7 | Charlotte, NC | Time Warner Cable Arena |
| March 10 | Cincinnati, OH | U.S. Bank Arena |
| March 14 | Atlanta, GA | Philips Arena |
| March 17 | Tulsa, OK | BOK Center |
| March 19 | Houston, TX | Toyota Center |
| March 21 | San Antonio, TX | AT&T Center |
| March 26 | Phoenix, AZ | U.S. Airways Center |
| March 28 | Anaheim, CA | Honda Center |
