LONDON — Elton John says he is postponing European dates on his world tour until 2023 so that he can have an operation on an injured hip.
The 74-year-old singer-songwriter had been due to play cities in Britain and Europe this year as part of the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, followed by shows in the U.S. in 2022.
John is scheduled to perform Sept. 22, 2022, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, according to Ticketmaster’s website.
Important update on my Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour.#EltonFarewellTour pic.twitter.com/qyPY2H0t9k
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) September 16, 2021
But he said a fall on a hard surface in late summer had left him in pain.
He said in a statement on Thursday that “despite intensive physio and specialist treatment, the pain has continued to get worse and is leading to increasing difficulties moving. I have been advised to have an operation as soon as possible to get me back to full fitness and make sure there are no long-term complications."
He said “it is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I am forced to reschedule the 2021 dates of my Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in Europe and the UK to 2023.”
He promised fans that “the shows will return to the road next year and I will make sure they are more than worth the wait.”
John said he planned to start the U.S. leg of the tour in January in New Orleans.
