Dodgers donate $1 million to Elton John AIDS Foundation, singer names Deep LA Connection on penultimate show

The Los Angeles Dodgers donated $1 million to the Elton John AIDS Foundation last night during the penultimate show of their final North American tour.

John headlined three sold-out shows at Dodger Stadium that ended tonight, which reportedly ended the 75-year-old’s North American touring days (he’ll still have European dates, and we’ve heard of retirement promises before). .

John gave a heartfelt thank you to Los Angeles on Saturday night. He admitted that his Los Angeles career began thanks to a magical night at the Troubadour. He credited former Los Angeles Times music critic Robert Hilburn with taping that show, and also credited his legendary 1975 date at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles as one of the reasons he made his Los Angeles run on the same day wanted to end.

“I’m looking forward to playing my final three shows of my Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in the United States at Dodger Stadium, an iconic venue that has meant so much to me and my career,” he said in a statement said.

Dodgers chairman and principal owner Mark Walter and tennis legend, activist and Dodgers co-owner Billie Jean King joined John on stage to present the donation during Saturday’s show.

“In addition to the obvious impact and enjoyment of his music, Elton has been a social leader in promoting LGBTQ acceptance and equality and has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS through the Elton John AIDS foundation,” Walter said. . “We at the Dodgers share Elton’s commitment to community, equality and service and are excited to support the foundation’s work. Billie Jean and I thank Elton for all he has achieved and congratulate him on his legendary career.”

The Elton John AIDS Foundation, founded in 1992, is one of the leading independent AIDS organizations in the world. The foundation’s mission is simple: to end the AIDS epidemic.