Elton John begins 3-year gig in Las Vegas

Grammy-winning British musician Elton John has returned to the gambling capital of Las Vegas to begin a new 3-year residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Between 2005 and 2009, the singer-songwriter performed 241 concerts in Las Vegas as part of his first residency concert series entitled The Red Piano.

As a new father, John may have decided to take Celine Dion’s advice to heart. As the new mother of twins, Dion recommends residency shows in Vegas as a way to spend more time with family instead of touring on the road. On Christmas Day last year, John and partner David Furnish became parents to their son, Zachary, born via a surrogate.

The new concert series is entitled The Million Dollar Piano, in honor of a piano that Yamaha has been working on for the last four years especially for the show.

The 2011 concert series debuted on Wednesday (September 28) and 16 concerts are planned through to October 23. The shows pick up again on February 9, 2012, with dates currently listed through to February 18.

During his first stay in Las Vegas, 75 concerts were planned over three years, however, demand was so great that his stay was stretched over five years.

John will be accompanied by his band, which includes Davey Johnstone on guitar, Bob Birch on bass, John Mahon on percussion, Nigel Olsson on drums and Kim Bullard on keyboards with a special appearance by percussionist Ray Cooper.