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Artist News Gigs & Festivals
Elton John cuts short show due to ill health
By Chris Cooke | Published on Monday 17 February 2020
Elton John was forced to cut short a show in New Zealand this weekend due to ill-health.
The musician went ahead with the Auckland date of his lengthy retirement tour despite being diagnosed with so called ‘walking pneumonia’. That’s a less severe type of pneumonia, but nevertheless results in cold like symptoms including a cough, chest pains, a sore throat and a headache.
John was visibly upset when he told his audience that he’d have to finish his set early having basically lost his voice. That audience was seemingly very understanding though, providing rapturous applause as he was helped off stage by his assistants.
He subsequently posted on Instagram: “I want to thank everyone who attended tonight’s gig in Auckland. 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”.
He went on: “Thank you so much for your extraordinary support and all the love you showed me during tonight’s performance. I am eternally grateful. Love, Elton xx”.
