An emotional Elton John was helped off-stage during a concert Sunday night in New Zealand that he had to cut short.
“I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia earlier today, but I was determined to give you the best show humanly possible,” the 72-year-old singer later explained in an Instagram post. “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.”
John made it more than halfway through the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour setlist when halted his performance and apologized. He broke down crying as fans inside Auckland’s Mount Smart Stadium cheered in support.
The singer walked off stage with the assistance of two crew members.
Still one of the best concerts I’ve been to, you’re a bloody legend Elton, thank you and get well soon!! ❤️ #eltonjohn #farewellyellowbrickroad pic.twitter.com/oGcorDZlIO
— Lana (@itsanchorlady) February 16, 2020
"I'm so sorry'
— Tim McCready (@Tim_McCready) February 16, 2020
And he was gone.#EltonJohn #EltonFarewellTour pic.twitter.com/lHPoLJrT4N
Earlier in the show, John paused so a medic could come on stage and take his blood pressure. “I don’t know how much longer I can sing,” he told the crowd, according to social media reports. “I'll try, but I've got nothing left.”
John is scheduled to return to the stadium for shows on Tuesday and Thursday. His tour returns to Canada for concerts on March 28 and 29 in Toronto and Montreal on April 2 and 3.