Elton John has been forced to postpone his remaining New Zealand concerts until 2021 following a diagnosis with walking pneumonia.
Over the weekend, fans in Auckland were disappointed to see Elton John cut his Mount Smart Stadium performance short after just 16 songs, having been left unable to sing.
“I’ve just completely lost my voice. I can’t sing,” the BBC reported Elton as saying. “I’ve got to go. I’m so sorry.”
Clearly feeling overwhelmed by the situation, Elton could be seen breaking down in tears before being escorted offstage. Taking to social media later, the musician apologised for the cancellation, explaining that he had previously been diagnosed with walking pneumonia; a mild form of pneumonia which affects the respiratory tract and typically doesn’t require hospitalisation.
“I want to thank everyone who attended tonight’s gig in Auckland,” he explained. “I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia earlier today, but I was determined to give you the best show humanly possible.
Though a statement from organisers stated that “at this stage, all remaining shows will go ahead as planned”, a recent announcement has sadly seen Elton postpone the final two dates of his New Zealand trek until January 15 and 16 of 2021.
“I always want to be able to give 100 per cent and I’m afraid that, right now, I’m not able to do that,” the 72-year-old explained. “I am grateful for the love and loyalty I have been shown by all of you and I can’t wait to return in January next year to perform my final New Zealand shows.”
Though this recent sickness halted Elton’s shows across the ditch, fans were apprehensive that his final Australian shows (set to take place between February 22 and March 4) would also be affected.
However, a statement from promoter Chugg Entertainment has echoed the recent statement, claiming that “all remaining Australian shows will go ahead as planned”.
