Pneumonia-struck Elton John performs 'Bennie And The Jets' and 'Tiny Dancer' at Mt Smart Stadium. Video / Chris Tarpey
Elton John fans have expressed their disappointment that the star rescheduled his remaining Auckland shows on doctor's orders.
And Sunday night ticketholders have slammed the fact partial refunds won't be paid out after the show was cut short, putting him at odds with New Zealand consumer advocates.
It was announced late last night that his two remaining Auckland shows have been rescheduled for January 2021.
The Rocketman singer revealed he was diagnosed with walking pneumonia on stage at Sunday night's concert and was forced to cut his set short.
He had previously rescheduled Tuesday's show to tonight, but the remaining New Zealand shows were canned because his voice wasn't up to scratch.
Promoter Michael Chugg told The Hits breakfast show: "Unfortunately a decision (on the next concerts) was made yesterday afternoon, early evening that his voice hasn't recovered adequately ... he couldn't hit the notes, couldn't do the scales. To keep going would be a disappointment for Elton and everybody.
"Because he's in the middle of his world tour, the only times would have been dead in the middle of the NZ winter ... so we moved to January."
Some Elton John fans who saw the star on Sunday are demanding full refunds. Photo / Supplied
"I am a Sunday night Elton John attender. I say refund a third for a partial concert. I feel cheated - only 15 of 25 songs played. It was not two hours, it finished at 9.13pm. It was obvious instrumentals were extended. Some of the most famous songs were not played. Chugg is not giving people a fair go."
Vikki and Chalky
"$600+ [was] spent months ago on two tickets. Saw him with Billy Joel at Mt Smart years ago and he had lost his voice then also. Luckily Billy Joel carried concert by singing Elton's songs so well. Who knows what will happen in 11 months. Want refund now."
Graham Ward
"I was one of a party of eight at his first concert cut short as he started our old favourites.
"Of course the sellout crowd was disappointed after his on-the-button start at 19.30, for his Daniel attempt to fail at exactly 21.19 (so we didn't get two hours as protested by a self-serving promoter), and I agree with Consumer NZ who say that there was a contract which simply wasn't met.
"So as much as we feel sorry for him, we didn't get our money's worth and I think EJ should throw $1m (the unexpired concert time valued far greater than $1m) at some Kiwi charities such as Kids Cancer or Teenage Suicide as a compensation for those who missed out, just like he's magnanimously done for the fire appeal in Aussie."
"My sister and I brought a ticket for my Mum for Sunday night's show. Since we weren't so keen to go at the time we got her quite a nice one near the stage to give her the up-close experience since she would be going alone. She has been a fan since the early days to the point that I'm even named after one of his songs. Her best friend had been the concert at Mission Estate and raved about it so she was really looking forward to all the banter and stories of his life over the years. In that sense she really felt like she really only got about 1/4 of a show on Sunday as she not only missed out on almost half the songs, but all of the banter.
"I emailed Ticketmaster yesterday after your Consumer NZ article requesting a refund or alternatively a discount code for the remaining shows.
"At this point I really want to give my Mum the opportunity to see the full show she missed out on as it's her last opportunity to see him in concert. Any refund she gets will instantly be put towards the purchase of more tickets. Given how poorly people missed out on Sunday I feel it is only fair that they give those ticket holders some sort of make good at least towards the remaining concerts. Surely offering us a refund in this manner is the least they can do?"
Anonymous
"Our show was originally pushed back one week because he attended the Oscars. Thankfully we didn't have flights or accommodation booked then so didn't lose out. But this time, grrr.
"We flew up from ChCh on Monday, find out via the news on Monday arvo that the Tuesday show had been pushed to Wednesday. So we rescheduled flights (extra $350), had to add an extra night of accommodation ($180), extra night of car storage ($30), extra day of annual leave at work plus extra food and travel expenses from that extra day.
"The extra cost is ridiculous when it should've just been canned Monday instead of making everyone reschedule and fork out more. A change in date and saying 'sorry for the inconvenience' simply isn't enough. I appreciate Elton is sick and health comes first but so much money has been wasted and that needs to be recognised. I'm sure Chugg has got his back.
"At the very least I would expect a full refund on concert ticket, but still having them valid for next year. I'll definitely be exploring options for further refunds."
Others were adamant the star's health should come first.
Other fans say Elton John's health should come first. Photo / Supplied
Teri Mitchell
"Hi I'm very sorry to hear about Elton John being sick and obviously wish him a speedy recovery. I plan to ask for a refund as it's a long time until the next concert date and I'm a busy mum who will probably have something else arranged by then. It certainly seems a long time for the organisers to hold on to our money! I know there will be many very disappointed fans like myself but Elton's health must come first.
Elizabeth Hanham
"I'm wondering what would stop the concert being rescheduled again should Elton be unable to sing in Auckland after a year long tour of some 100+ concerts over the next 11 months. However I would rather hear a healthy Elton John sing than a sick one."
"Went to Sunday's show - loved what we got but didn't get to fill my boots as the show was cut short. Not keen on a refund - I'd just love to see the rest of the show. Perhaps Elton could run an extra show or half show next Jan for those affected by Sunday's performance.
"First dibs for those that held tickets and then opened to general sale if people don't take It up. This was a dream concert for me $600 ticket - just sad I never got to see him perform some of the key hits which are at the tail end of the playlist. Hope Elton Makes a quick and full recovery - he's a legend and a superstar!"
Mike Howard
"Had a great time watching a powerful concert from Elton and his brilliant band on Sunday. Real pity he couldn't complete it but we had two hours of great experience.
"No need for any refund and no need for you lot in the media to dark things up. No-one would wish Elton's voice loss on anyone - just one of those things and callers for refunds are most unreasonable - especially the media who were probably there on freebies!
