Goodbye Rocketman: Elton John’s final Melbourne show

Elton John’s decades-long love affair with Melbourne has come to an end, playing one final swan song in front of a packed and adoring crowd at AAMI Park.

Elton John at his last ever Melbourne concert. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

It began in 1971, a few suburbs away at Kooyong, and tonight at AAMI Park Elton John ended his love affair with Melbourne audiences at his 50th and final concert.

Fans were nervous the 72-year-old superstar’s ill health would stop him from making it to the stage – he ended one Auckland show abruptly and postponed two more last week after being diagnosed with walking pneumonia – prompting people to Google the condition to see what it actually meant.

The final bow at Elton John's final Melbourne concert.

But after a week’s rest he’s not only still standing but starting the final leg of his farewell Australian tour, which ends in Sydney on March 7.

“I’m so happy to be in Melbourne,” he told the 30,000 fans.

“I’m so happy to be well.”

“I’ll let you into a little secret. I couldn’t speak until Thursday, I lost my voice on Sunday in Auckland. My doctor said I shouldn’t do the show tonight and I said ‘bollocks’ or words to that effect. Big kangaroo bollocks. I wasn’t going to miss this. I’m glad I came. My voice is a little rusty but you’ve been so amazing you’ve carried me through the night, thank you.”

John showed no signs of his illness. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

His swift recovery was impressive – as chatty and animated as ever and still hitting all those notes on an epic show that almost stretches to three hours.

You’d never know he’d even been poorly, but then he’s survived much worse than a pesky bout of pneumonia.

The last time he was in town torrential rain soured his Yarra Valley experience, and after wet weather dampened Queen’s two shows at AAMI Park this week, thankfully his happy ending came with clear skies and no rain on this final parade.

Four decades on from his first Melbourne show, Elton John has played his last show in Melbourne. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

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Elton dedicated Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me to “Dame Olivia” Newton-John, who visited him backstage before the show. “She is such a wonderful, inspiring woman, a great artist and a whole lotta fun. I respect and love you so much, it was so great to see you before the show looking as great as you do, bless you forever.”

Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness also came to the gig after his stand up comedy show.

From the thrills of I’m Still Standing and Tiny Dancer to the musical depths of Someone Saved My Life Tonight and Indian Sunset, the superstar managed to distil a once-in-a-generation career into a fitting once-in-a-generation farewell concert.

As usual, Elton explained why he’s giving up touring, something nobody could begrudge him, especially after leaving his sick bed to give Melbourne all he had one final time.

My life has changed, 10 years ago I didn’t have a family, I do now, I love my family and my kids. I’ve had enough applause to last me a million lifetimes. I need to be with them and they need to be with me, it gives me something else to look forward to in the last part of my life. I will never give music up but I will never be touring again after 2021.

“I am so touched by all of the memories I have of you. From this English guy who’s been coming to Australia since 1971, more times than anybody else I think, I love this country so much, thank you so much for all the kindness, the loyalty, the generosity you’ve shown me, thank you form the bottom of my heart Australia.”