'I wouldn't be 100 per cent fit,' explains the 'Yellow Brick Road' hitmaker as he discusses his decision to undergo hip surgery after being in constant pain following a fall.
- November 2, 2021
AceShowbiz - Elton John opted to postpone dates on his farewell tour and undergo hip surgery after struggling to move sideways. The 74-year-old announced he was postponing the European leg of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour until 2023 after suffering a fall, and in a new health update, the veteran rocker explains he is in constant pain.
"I wouldn't be 100 percent fit. I wouldn't be 100 per cent confident, because I'm in pain most of the time with my hip," he told U.K. TV show "Lorraine" when asked about his decision to pull dates. "I can't move sideways. I can't get in and out of a car."
"And the decision had to be made, because I wouldn't wanna go on stage and give less than 100 per cent. And... with a year and a half of touring to go, how long my hip would last. It probably wouldn't. So better to get it [surgery] done now. Unfortunately [I had to] disappoint all the people this year but I'll make it up to them, and I'll be in much better form."
Elton is hoping to have the surgery so he can resume his tour in January 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He announced the delay of his planned 2021 tour in September. "At the end of my summer break I fell awkwardly on a hard surface and have been in considerable pain and discomfort in my hip ever since," he shared at the time.
"Despite intensive physio and specialist treatment, the pain has continued to get worse and is leading to increasing difficulties moving. I have been advised to have an operation as soon as possible to get me back to full fitness and make sure there are no long-term complications."
Meanwhile, he has been given something to smile about - his latest album, "The Lockdown Sessions", rocketed to the top of the U.K. charts on Friday, October 29, and became his 21st top 10 in America over the weekend.
