Elton John shines in ‘final’ show in Las Vegas — PHOTOS

It was MGM Grand, with its Emerald City effects, where John and Billy Joel co-headlined in 1995 and again in 2003. Tuesday night, John flipped the calendar and and enlarged his Land of Oz in Las Vegas. The knighted legend performed his first and (according to the tour title) only concert at Allegiant Stadium, on his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour.

The venue, with a 65,000 capacity for football, was set at about 35,000 for the John concert. Looked about filled. Lots of us who qualify for a Just For Men sample group were in the house.

John showed up in a black tux, its tailed jacket splashed with multicolored rhinestones. Later it was a salmon-pink number with turquoise lapels. As usual his attire, hinted to Liberace’s grandeur, another facet of John’s career that seizes Vegas’s lineage.

The 75-year-old showman opened with a flurry with “Bennie and the Jets” and “Philadelphia Freedom” launching the performance. “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” followed, with John’s tribute to Aretha Franklin, “Border Song,” in the early spree.

We say it was John’s “final” appearance in Vegas with a qualifier, as anything is possible even when superstars pledge finality. John has been insisting this is it, saying he wanted to take time away “to spend with my young family.”

But a musician of John’s caliber is forever in high demand. We would not be surprised to see him return to residency here in 2024, if he’s up for it. Maybe not with his full band, but something of an Elton at the piano show would sit nicely at this point of his career.

Others have found the tug of the stage too strong to resist. Cher has starred in two Las Vegas residency productions and headlined two North American tours since her “farewell” tour of 2003-05. The Eagles have been on a farewell campaign for a quarter-century. Kiss, Motley Crue, the Doobie Brothers, The Who have all said goodbye, in some form. All are still playing today, including performances in Las Vegas. The Who is at Dolby Live this weekend.

John is very familiar with the Vegas residency culture, hosting two series at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. He served up “The Red Piano” from 2004-09, and and “Million Dollar Piano” at Caesars Palace from 2011-18. In all, Sir Elton played 444 shows in those two residencies. In all, he played 469 concerts in Las Vegas dating to his first, in 1971 at Las Vegas Convention Center.

Those shows at Caesars typically ran for 90 minutes. “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” covered 2½ hours. The set list was stuffed with the expected classics, “Your Song,” “Daniel,” “Crocodile Rock,” “Rocket Man,” The Bitch is Back” and “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.”

The latter song rocked itself off the rails, one of the night’s few missteps. The show was otherwise tight. John energetically rose from the piano bench to bow and goose the roar of the crowd, and venture to the stage’s wings to bask in the adulation. The stadium’s sound was well-balanced. On a scale of Garth Brooks to the Rolling Stones, it was Metallica. Crowd shots were mixed with frequent highlights of shows from decades past.

John’s backing band elevated the vintage vibe. On stage Tuesday were John Mahon and Nigel Olsson (both on drums and backing vocals), the ever-legendary Ray Cooper (percussion), guitar great Davey Johnstone (guitar, backing vocals), Matt Bissonette (bass guitar, vocals) and Kim Bullard (keyboards). Olsson, Cooper and Johnstone have been with John for about 50 years.

(A very Vegas story about Cooper, about a decade ago we sat at adjoining tables for a Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns show at the Lounge at the Palms. Cooper took in the entire show with his head down and eyes closed. I asked him about it afterward. “I only want to hear them,” he said.)

John’s “Cold Heart” duet with Dua Lipa, and a reference to his Britney Spears-collab version of “Hold Me Closer” were saved for the encore (though that song was not performed). “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” backed by video highlights of John’s incredible career, shut it down. Wearing his flashy “Fantastic”-emblazoned jacket, star bowed and waved while being lifted away on an automated platform.

A full night of music and dancing and great energy. Maybe we’ve seen the last of Sir Elton in these parts. Only the Rocket Man knows for sure. But we’ll clear the road clear, should he want to return.

Keys to a meeting

Sir Elton followed through on his promise to connect with Hammond B3 legend Ronnie Foster in Las Vegas. The two keyboard virtuosos met and chatted before Tuesday’s show. Foster posted on social media, “This man really loves music and knows his stuff … Beautiful guy and a great artist.”

John also called out to Foster from the stage in his dedications at the end of the show. Sir Elton had initially sought out Foster for John’s “Rocket Hour” podcast, which broadcast in June. The two chatted at length about Foster’s career and mastery of the instrument. John told Foster he had never been able to play the Hammond to his own standards.

John was especially interested in Foster’s return to Blue Note Records, the label where he began his recording career 50 years ago.The iconic label re-released Foster’s debut album, “Two Headed Freap,” on vinyl in the Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series.

Cool Hang Alert

On the topic of those who know their way around a show, the great Vegas showman Ronnie Rose plays from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday at Maxan Jazz Sushi & Jazz at 4130 South Decatur Blvd. Keyboardist David K. Matthews from Carlos Santana’s band (among many iconic artists, including Etta James, Tower of Power and Boz Scaggs) is special guest. Wayne de Silva (sax) Chris Gordan (bass) and Pepe Jimenez (drums) in this band. Big talent. No cover. A $40 F&B minimum, per customer. To to maxanjazz.com for reservations.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.