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An emotional Sir Elton John was giving the first of three concerts at Mt Smart in Auckland last...
An emotional Sir Elton John was giving the first of three concerts at Mt Smart in Auckland last night. Photo: Getty Images
An emotional Sir Elton John has reached out to fans on social media saying he's "disappointed and deeply upset" that he couldn't complete Sunday night's show - but his remaining Auckland concerts will go ahead.

The distraught performer was forced to call off his first Auckland concert midway through the performance last night after suffering pneumonia and losing his voice.

"I'm sorry, so very sorry," a sobbing John told the Mt Smart crowd.

NZ Herald writer Tim McCready caught the moment that John could not go on:

However, a statement released through a publicist this morning said: "Elton John was disappointed and deeply upset at having to end his Auckland concert early last night.

"He is resting today, and doctors are confident he will recover. At this stage, all remaining shows will go ahead as planned."

John is to play his second and third Auckland concerts on Tuesday and Thursday. He earlier played two concerts at Mission Estate Winery in Napier - jetting back for the Oscars in Los Angeles in between. He also played in Dunedin on February 4.

The superstar, who earlier needed medical assistance while on stage, broke down in tears on Sunday and needed to be assisted from the stage after attempting to launch into Daniel, but having no voice left.

The song was number 16 in a 25-strong playlist at Mt Smart Stadium. Concert reviewer Karl Puschmann said John's voice remained powerful during his early songs - until he spoke.

John reached out to fans on Instagram and Facebook an hour after the show was called off.

There were no announcements and John remained on stage. After several minutes and without speaking, John continued the concert with the song Levon.

The large screens flanking the stage had briefly gone dark but within minutes the concert resumed - to wild cheers from the crowd at Mt Smart Stadium.

He struggled to perform Candle in the Wind and told the audience he did not know how long he could continue as he "had nothing left". He left the stage just after 9pm and the stage, screens and stadium were left in darkness.

However he managed to return to the stage about eight minutes later in a new costume.

But several songs later, as he started Daniel, it was clear he had no voice. The show was over.

A distraught Elton leaves the stage. Photo: supplied via NZ Herald
A distraught Elton leaves the stage. Photo: supplied via NZ Herald
Walking pneumonia is an infection caused by bacteria that primarily affects an individual's lower and upper respiratory tract.

The condition is not as severe as the other forms of pneumonia and in most cases hospitalisation and bed rest are not required for recovery. It goes unnoticed and feels similar to the common cold for most individuals.

John has resumed his tour of New Zealand after jetting back from Los Angeles after attending the Academy Awards, where he won an Oscar.

Most fans seemed far from upset from the Sunday night cancellation, instead praising the 72-year-old's work ethic on social media.

 

Comments

Not bad Reggie, not bad, seems the frailty of the human condition has overcome you too.

Having been an Elton fan since the early 1970's and having bought his albums before he became famous, I am obviously concerned about Elton's emotional state. I am left wondering if he is so emotional about walking out of the concert that he is thinking of (emotionally) refunding the money loyal fans spent to attend the performance !!!