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Elton John to perform in Tel Aviv on May 26

Legendary singer-songwriter plays Israel for fourth time in his career

By ToI Staff 15 December 2015, 2:35 pm

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File: British singer and musician Sir Elton John performs in a venue near Tel Aviv, on June 17, 2010. (Flash90)

The legendary British singer-songwriter Sir Elton John will return to Israel for the fourth time to perform on May 26 at Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park, it was confirmed on Monday.

The more than two-and-a-half-hour performance will form part of John’s Wonderful Crazy Night Tour 2016 — the name of his forthcoming new album, according to promoter Shuki Weiss.

Early-bird tickets went on sale Tuesday at NIS 329 ($85) for the grass, NIS 695 for silver seats and the golden ring, next to the stage, and NIS 1,155 for the VIP area.

The band will include longtime drummer Nigel Olsson and guitarist Davey Johnstone.

Prior to John’s most recent performance at the Ramat Gan Stadium in 2010, pro-Palestinian activists had tried to stop him coming to Israel. He told 45,000 fans, “Shalom, we are so happy to be back here! Ain’t nothing gonna stop us from coming, baby!

“Musicians spread love and peace, and bring people together. That’s what we do. We don’t cherry-pick our conscience,” he added.

Prior to that concert, Sir Elton, aged 68, performed in Israel in 1979 and 1993.

In 1993, he stomped off back to London right before his scheduled show at the Ramat Gan stadium, after paparazzi photographers pounced on him as he arrived at his hotel. Frantic conciliation efforts brought him back at the last minute to perform before 40,000 fans.