Wearing a bright red shirt that matched his piano and a coat emblazoned with "Las Vegas Pirates" on its back and "Captain Elton" on its right sleeve, Elton John rolled through his hits and reflected on his time at the Colosseum, a stage he famously shared with Celine Dion, Bette Midler and Cher.
"Who are you going to get to fill in our shoes now?" he said. "You've got Bette Midler, you've got Cher. It's gonna be the Village People next."
John initially signed on for 75 shows over three years when his run began in February 2004, but casino officials say the deal was expanded because of demand.
"I really have enjoyed every single moment of this engagement," the five-time Grammy winner said after opening the show with "Bennie and the Jets."
John's tour with Billy Joel has the second-highest average gross box office revenue with a ticket price of $115.84, according to Pollstar, the concert industry trade publication. Each show averages a gross $2.2 million, behind only Britney Spears, Pollstar said.
Many audience members seated close to the stage Wednesday night gave the pop singer a standing ovation after each hit he played, including "Candle in the Wind," "Rocket Man" and "Tiny Dancer."
Several of the songs were combined with complex video productions created by famed photographer and director David LaChapelle. The offbeat music videos included appearances by singer Justin Timberlake, actress Pamela Anderson and actor Paul Reubens.
"One day I might even see you in Vegas, OK? But until then, I love you," John said before ending the show with "Your Song" and kissing an audience member's hand as he exited the stage.
"I hope you don't mind that I put down in words," he sang. "How wonderful life is while you're in the world."
Elton John leaves hospital, back on stage Nov 14
Nov 6, 2009 9:39 am PST
British singer Elton John left hospital on Thursday after being treated for a serious case of e-coli bacterial infection and influenza that forced him to cancel a string of concerts, his representative said on Thursday. Spokesman Gary F...
Elton John on mend, resuming tour dates
Nov 6, 2009 2:00 am PST
Elton John has been released from a London hospital after being treated for flu and an E. coli bacterial infection. The singer's spokesman Gary Farrow says John was at home Friday and was feeling fine. He left the hospital early Thursday....
Official: No Ukrainian adoption for Elton John
Sep 14, 2009 10:00 am PDT
Elton John won't be able to adopt a 14-month-old HIV-positive child from Ukraine because the pop star is too old and isn't married, the government said Monday. Adoption and gay rights advocates expressed regret about the determination by ...
Billy Joel ill, postpones 2nd upstate NY show
Jul 25, 2009 7:00 pm PDT
Billy Joel and Elton John have postponed a second upstate New York concert on their top-grossing tour after Joel fell ill with flu-like symptoms. The Times Union Center in Albany says in a release the pair have decided to delay Monday's s...
Elton John, Dolly Parton to perform at Tonys
Jun 5, 2009 2:00 pm PDT
The Tony Awards will include a few bona fide music stars among the usual song-and-dance numbers. Elton John, Dolly Parton and Poison will help toast Broadway's finest at Sunday's ceremony, performing with the casts of top-nominated...