Elton John says goodbye to the stage in style, but reveals surprising plans for the future

British singer-songwriter Elton John, 76, is saying goodbye to the stage in style. His farewell tour has been a huge success. The tour achieved significant box office sales, becoming a landmark in the music industry as the most profitable in history.

Elton John began the tour performing in arenas in North America, Europe and Oceania, but soon moved to stadiums, achieving, in a few months, an income equivalent to what he obtained with two years of arena shows.

Elton John's farewell tour

Known as “Farewell Yellow Brick Road”, Elton John's last tour began in 2018 and lasted until 2020, having to be interrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was later resumed in 2022 and came to an end on Saturday (8), celebrating the career of one of music's greatest artists and becoming a historic milestone in the music industry.

With exciting performances and a repertoire full of classics, the artist won hearts and box offices around the world. This success was reflected in the surprising revenue figures and the passion of the fans who filled the stadiums and arenas.

A historic record

With record box office revenue, Elton John's farewell tour made music history. By surpassing the US$900 million mark in revenue (around R$4.3 billion), the singer set a historic record as the most profitable tour of all time.

Given this remarkable feat, John took first place on the podium, leaving behind powerful artists such as Ed Sheeran (who now occupies second place) and U2, who were in third place, according to information from the renowned music magazine, Billboard.

Next, check out the list of the ten artists with the most profitable tours in history

1. Elton John – Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour (2018-20 and 2022-23)
Gain: US$939.1 million (R$4.2 billion)
Audience: 6 million people
Presentations: 330

2. Ed Sheeran – The ÷ (Divide) Tour (2017-19)
Gain: US$776 million (R$3.7 billion)
Audience: 8.9 million people
Presentations: 258

3. U2 – 360° Tour (2009-11)
Gain: US$736 million (R$3.5 billion)
Audience: 7.3 million people
Presentations: 110

4. Harry Styles – Love on Tour (2021-current)
Gain: US$590.3 million (R$2.8 billion)
Audience: 4.7 million people
Presentations: 165

5. Guns N' Roses – Not in This Lifetime… Tour (2016-19)
Gain: US$584 million (R$2.8 billion)
Audience: 5.4 million people
Presentations: 158

6. Coldplay – Music of the Spheres World Tour (2022-23)
Gain: US$561.2 million (R$2.6 billion)
Audience: 5.8 million people
Presentations: 99

7. The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang Tour (2005-07)
Gain: US$558 million (R$2.6 billion)
Audience: 3.5 million people
Presentations: 111

8. The Rolling Stones – No Filter Tour (2017-19, 2021)
Gain: US$547 million (R$2.6 billion)
Audience: 2.9 million people
Presentations: 58

9. Coldplay – A Head Full of Dreams Tour (2016-17)
Gain: US$524 million (R$2.5 billion)
Audience: 5.4 million people
Presentations: 115

10. Roger Waters – The Wall Live (2010-13)
Gain: US$459 million (R$2.2 billion)
Audience: 4.1 million people
Presentations: 219

Elton John (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/@eltonjohn)

Ed Sheeran (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/@teddysphotos)

U2 (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/@u2)

Harry Styles (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/@harrystyles)

Guns 'N Roses (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/@gunsnroses)

The Rolling Stones (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/@therollingstones)

Roger Waters (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/@rogerwaters)

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Elton John also says that even after his farewell tour, he does not intend to stop performing live. After his last show in Stockholm, Sweden, he will be ready to “enjoy your freedom“but can still accomplish”some strange show” in the future.

Featured Photo: Elton John. Reproduction/Instagram/@eltonjohn