Elton John with Ai Weiwei at John's concert at Beijing's Wukesong Stadium in 2012, which he dedicated to the dissident Chinese artist, to the anger of the Chinese authorities. Photo: AFP/Ai Weiwei
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https://scmp.com/lifestyle/music/article/1842737/one-oldies-elton-john-plays-hong-kong-again-autumn Lifestyle
One for the oldies: Elton John plays Hong Kong again this autumn
The singer-songwriter returns after a three-year absence for November show, part of his All The Hits Tour
Elton John performs in Hong Kong in 2012. Photo: K.Y. Cheng
Elton John is returning to Hong Kong after a three-year absence, with a show at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on November 24 - part of his All The Hits Tour.
The prolific singer-songwriter, 68, whose career spans five decades, is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time, with album sales of more than 300 million worldwide. His single Candle in the Wind 1997 sold over 33 million copies alone and is the best-selling single of all time. He has wrote the music for stage and screen hits Billy Elliot: The Musical and The Lion King.
A regular visitor to Hong Kong, John's last performance in the city was in 2012 as part of a tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of the release of breakthrough single Rocket Man. It was on that tour John stunned an audience in Beijing by dedicating his show there to dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, an outspoken critic of the Chinese government's stance on democracy. He was questioned by Chinese authorities after the concert regarding his remarks. His All The Hits Tour tour will not include appearances in mainland China.
The People's Daily said in an editorial: "John's unexpected action was disrespectful to the audience and the contract that he signed with the Chinese side. He forcibly added political content to the concert, which should have been nothing more than an entertaining performance. John's action will also make the relevant agencies further hesitate in the future when they invite foreign artists."
While John was not the first visiting artist to make comments that displeased the Chinese authorities, it emerged that, as a result of what he said, they were considering tightening rules for concerts by visiting artists.
Tickets for the All The Hits Tour go on sale July 27, at prices from HK$488 to HK$1,888, via hkticketing.com