We Don't have lift-off
Flu forces 'Rocket Man' Elton to cancel his Dublin gig
Friday October 30 2009
THOUSANDS of Elton John fans were left disappointed after the singer was forced to pull out of this evening's sold-out gig at Dublin's 02 Arena at the last minute due to illness.
Aiken Promotions had feared that the singer might not be able to perform at his only Irish gig after cancelling four of his British dates in as many days earlier this week after coming down with the flu.
"Everyone was speculating, but we couldn't say for sure until we got a fax at 11am today," spokeswoman Claire Aiken told the Irish Independent last night.
However, the tickets will be honoured for a future date and it is hoped the concert will be rescheduled for another date in December.
A new date will be announced either today or Monday and promoters are hopeful it can be rescheduled before Christmas.
Elton (62) was told to postpone the final leg of his British 'Red Piano' tour by doctors after he was diagnosed with a strong dose of the flu.
The illness forced him to cancel Wednesday's gig in Liverpool, as well as his appearance at London's Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night.
The 'Rocket Man' singer was also forced to cancel weekend concerts in Sheffield and Newcastle on Friday and Saturday.
Ms Aiken could not say if he is suffering from swine flu. A statement issued on Elton's behalf yesterday said that his condition had not improved enough to allow him to return to the stage.
However, when he does perform, Irish fans should not be disappointed, she added.
"He is bitterly disappointed not to playing Dublin. He had picked Dublin to close the 'Red Piano' worldwide, because of the great warmth of the people and the great concerts he had in the city over many years.
"He is hoping to reschedule the dates in the very near future."
Meanwhile, American jazz crooner Jack Jones has also pulled out of tonight's concert at Vicar Street due to poor ticket sales.
But he will still be playing Belfast's Waterfront Hall on November 21, for which tickets are still available.
Fans who bought tickets for tonight's concert will be offered a refund.
The Grammy award-winning singer, whose fans include Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, sold out the National Concert Hall in 2006 and was regarded as one of the most popular singers of the 1960s.
- Allison Bray
Irish Independent
