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See all of Elton John's tour stops in Dallas, from 1971 to 2018's farewell

If you take Elton John at his word, his Dec. 14-15 shows at American Airlines Center will be his last local appearances — ever.

"After the tour finishes, I'm very much looking forward to closing off that chapter of my life. ... I need to dedicate more time to raising my children," Sir Elton, 71, said in a January statement announcing Farewell Yellow Brick Road, a 300-city, three-year world trek that's being billed as his "last ever" tour.

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But is this really the end? Or will the notoriously fickle singer change his mind and announce "The Bitch Is Back" tour in 2023, sort of like when he announced he'd "retired" from touring in 1977 and then unretired less than two years later?

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Whether this is indeed Elton's grand finale or just his farewell for now, it's one of the last chapters in the long history of one of rock's greatest showmen.

Here's a look at all the times the Rocket Man landed in our neck of the woods over the past five decades.

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May 22-23, 1971, at Fair Park Music Hall and May 24, 1971, at Tarrant County Convention Center Theatre. Aptly enough, Elton's debut tour of Texas was in support of his Western-themed concept album Tumbleweed Connection.

Nov. 5, 1972, at Memorial Auditorium. Touring behind Honky Château, the singer played the 10,000-seat venue now known as the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Arena.

Aug. 18, 1973, at the Cotton Bowl. Headlining the third annual Cotton Bowl Spectacular, Elton previewed songs from his soon-to-be-released Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. Opening act: Steely Dan.

September 30, 1988 : Elton John wore a fabulous plumed hat at Coca-Cola-Starplex Amphitheater.
September 30, 1988 : Elton John wore a fabulous plumed hat at Coca-Cola-Starplex Amphitheater.(Evans Caglage / Staff)

Sept. 25, 1974, at Memorial Auditorium. Highlights on the Caribou tour included his new song "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me." Opening act: Kiki Dee.

Nov. 10, 1979, at Moody Coliseum. Returning from his short-lived "retirement," Elton performed mostly solo, with help from percussionist Ray Cooper.

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Oct. 16, 1980, at Reunion Arena. Touring behind his now-forgotten 21 at 33 album, the singer played Reunion months after the 19,000-seat venue opened.

Sept. 29, 1984, at Reunion Arena. Most recent LP: Breaking Hearts. Most recent hit: "Sad Songs (Say So Much)."

Sept. 27, 1986, at Reunion Arena. Most recent LP: Leather Jackets. Elton later dubbed it the least favorite album in his discography.

Sept. 30, 1988, at Coca-Cola Starplex Amphitheater. Now known as Dos Equis Pavilion, Starplex was just 3 months old when the singer arrived on his Reg Strikes Back tour.

August 11, 1989: Elton John at Starplex in Dallas.
August 11, 1989: Elton John at Starplex in Dallas.(J. Mark Kegans / Staff)

Aug. 11, 1989, at Coca-Cola Starplex Amphitheater. Elton's last tour before kicking his drug and alcohol addictions in 1990.

Oct 25, 1992, at Coca-Cola Starplex Amphitheater. Most recent hit: "The One," from the album of the same name.

Oct. 10, 1993, at Coca-Cola Starplex Amphitheater. Taking a cue from 1979, he played a mostly solo show, with percussion help from Cooper.

April 2, 1995, at Texas Stadium. On the second in a series of lucrative Face to Face tours, Elton and Billy Joel drew 44,000 fans to the home of the Cowboys.

Jan. 28, 1998, at Reunion Arena. Most recent hit: "Candle in the Wind 1997," his record-shattering tribute to the late Princess Diana.

Aug. 8, 1998, at Starplex Amphitheater. Most recent album: The Big Picture.

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Feb. 28, 2003, at American Airlines Center. Another Face to Face tour with the Piano Man.

February, 28, 2003: Elton John, left, and Billy Joel greet the crowd at  at the American...
February, 28, 2003: Elton John, left, and Billy Joel greet the crowd at at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.(RANDY ELI GROTHE / Staff)

March 24, 2005 at American Airlines Center. Backed by the Voice of Atlanta choir, Elton played gospel-fired versions of his hits and songs from Peachtree Road.

Oct. 25, 2006, at the Meyerson Symphony Center. This rare non-arena solo show was a fundraiser for the future AT&T Performing Arts Center.

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Nov. 13, 2010, at the Fort Worth Convention Center Arena. Part of a short tour with the late Leon Russell, this show featured both singers' hits and songs from their album The Union.

March 13, 2014, at American Airlines Center. On his Follow the Yellow Brick Road tour, Elton gave short shrift to his recent album The Diving Board and instead played 10 songs from 1973's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, much to the crowd's delight.

More photos of Elton John through the years in D-FW: