Farewell Yellow Brick Road didn’t just offer good music. The tour posters were striking, too. So Eltonjohn.world decided to focus on a few of the principles, starting with Jose Hadathy.
Hadathy, who has designed Atlanta’s FIFA World Cup 2026 poster, worked on the banner for Elton’s final concert in that city. He wasn’t alone, crediting Larry Luk and Tucker Brooks for the ”finishing touches.”
Jose didn’t elaborate on whether the other artists contributed some of the black and white stripes (there are a lot), Elton’s round eyeglasses, the skyscrapers behind him, or yellow brick road up front.
Another Farewell Yellow Brick Road artist was Emek.
Emek, who worked on the Las Vegas design, told ej.w that he included a bespectacled feline and sun, thinking of Honky Cat and Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me. The Mona Lisa reproduction represents Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, and of course, the rocket stands for Rocket Man. Emek reckons as many as 20 songs are referenced. Also of significance is a giant platform boot, which incorporates a roof, windows, door and staircase. The aim was to highlight Elton’s old look as well as to suggest a children’s story.
Emek has been collaborating with rock stars, such as the Who and AC/DC, as well as record companies, for 35 years. In fact, he could have done more for Elton. The star ”approved the art and asked me to create more, but the deadline was too tight.”
Flynn Prejean is another fellow with an interesting story. He created a ”paper doll” poster for the gig in Arlington, Texas, and says his wife gave him the idea.
”I was asked to include, if not focus on, an iconic costume from the 1970s. It was becoming harder and harder to pick a favourite. I remember saying to a fellow poster artist at the time that I wished I could incorporate multiple costumes, like a retrospective, without the design becoming messy and jumbled.
”I mentioned to my wife that I’d like the viewer to be able to pick their favourite, and wanted it to be interactive somehow. She replied, ‘like a paper doll?’ ”
Then the artist had to make sure his work was accurate, as ”certain jackets went with certain glasses, etc. So my wife and I sat up one evening making the EJ paper dolls, to verify I didn’t miss anything.”
SoJung Ham has a line of Elton John felt dolls (”Felton John,” he quips), but these weren’t sold at concerts. Prints of his poster were though, when Elton played Cork, Ireland, on 1 July 2022. In the depiction, the singer tips his hat. It’s green, like the rest of his ensemble.
In England, someone thought that Adam Stothard should depict the Union Flag, if not monuments related to venues, such as Carrow Road in Norfolk, England. He opted, instead, for the British countryside with his field of flowers. In the middle, for something ”uplifting and very Elton,” the performer plays his piano.
Adam adds: ”Luckily Elton’s team loved the idea, which ”was green lit.”
