Pop superstar Elton John will return to Chattanooga’s McKenzie Arena Nov. 19 for a concert featuring his “Greatest Hits Live” tour.
The show will feature John and his band performing hits from his more than four-decade career.
“It’s all hits all night,” said Holli Mattison, marketing representative with show promoter Live Nation.com. “It will definitely be a moment in time to freeze frame and remember. Elton John always delivers and it is always a good time.”
John last performed in Chattanooga in 1999 at the same arena, a show that included a surprise stage appearance by longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin.
That show drew a capacity crowd, according to assistant arena director Obie Webster, which is why he believes John’s management contacted the facility about doing another show here.
“I believe everyone was happy with the way that show in ’99 went,” he said. “I am certain that is why they wanted to come back.”
When John returns in November, he’ll bring two members of his original band from the 1970s – Davey Johnstone on guitar and Nigel Olsson on drums – along with John Mahon on percussion, Bob Birch on bass, and Kim Bullard on keyboards.
Among John’s hit singles are “Bennie and the Jets,” “Rocket Man,” “Daniel,” “Your Song,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” “Crocodile Rock” and “Candle in the Wind.”
The latter was originally written in tribute to Marilyn Monroe and released in 1973. It was reworked after Britain’s Princess Diana was killed in 1997 and became an international hit.
The show is being presented by Sunny 92.3, where general manager Danny Howard said John’s music is in constant rotation.
“Elton John is obviously a core artist for Sunny 92.3 to the nth degree,” he said.
Howard said an opening act has not been announced.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.