Elton John says goodbye to Chicago; or, the myth of the farewell tour

CHICAGO — For a long, long time, there was reason to assume every major pop star with a sizable audience and willingness to play live would tour indefinitely. One tour ended; the next began. The road stretched on, and on. Bob Dylan once christened his schedule “The Never Ending Tour.” That was back in 1988. Because as long as a musician was able and willing, regardless of whether we even cared, true mortality was always tomorrow. Way back in 1974, Dylan was already singing, with characteristic snark, “It still ain’t me, babe.” His current tour, or so says his website, will conclude in 2024. He will be 83 then.

I mention that by way of saying, I went to see Elton John at the United Center on Friday night. He was lovely, warm, rollicking at times, the set list