Elton John, 79, has reportedly signed a multi-million-pound deal to perform as a hologram in a Las Vegas residency, contradicting his 2018 statement that he did not want a hologram touring after his death. The show will be a headline attraction at the new Hard Rock Hotel opening next summer, using technology more advanced than London's ABBA Voyage.
Details of the hologram deal
According to The Sun, Elton will film performances later this year at Pinewood Studios, which will be digitally transformed into a lifelike hologram. Dua Lipa, who collaborated with Elton on the 2021 hit Cold Heart, and Kiki Dee, his duet partner on Don't Go Breaking My Heart from 1976, are also expected to appear as holograms. A source said: 'Elton, Dua and Kiki will be holograms. It's similar to the ABBA Voyage show in London, but far more advanced as the technology has come on so much. Elton signed a seven-figure deal with Hard Rock. It's a shift away from a traditional residency and is billed as a fully immersive experience. It's going to look phenomenal.'
Elton's previous stance on holograms
In a 2018 interview with NME, Elton recalled telling his eldest son Zachary: 'When Daddy dies, promise me there won't be a hologram going around the world doing concerts.' He compared the idea to posthumous duet albums, calling it 'so spooky,' and added: 'Who knows – they may go broke and then put me back on the f***ing stage, but I think that's a bit freaky.'
Retirement and health challenges
Elton officially retired from touring after his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour ended in 2023. He still performs occasional one-off shows but has been selective due to severely limited vision from an eye infection. The hologram deal marks a surprising next chapter, leveraging technology that has advanced rapidly since ABBA Voyage's success.
Industry context
Metro has contacted representatives of Elton John for comment. The ABBA Voyage show, which opened in London in 2022, has demonstrated strong audience demand for digital concerts, paving the way for artists like Elton to embrace hologram residencies.
