NEW YORK • Fans have turned up in droves at sold-out venues to enjoy a final blast now that "Rocket Man" Elton John has launched his farewell, three-year global tour.

Starting last month with dates in American cities, the 71-year-old is repaying their faith with shows that last more than 21/2 hours, reported The New York Times.

Despite the generous showtime, John, performing last Thursday at Madison Square Garden before an audience that included former United States president Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary, apologised that there was not enough time to go down memory lane with more of his hits.

With no dates slated for Asia at the moment on his website, fans in Singapore may fear missing out on the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour action.

But there is a remedy coming up to at least make the uncertainty more bearable.

Last week, the first trailer for Rocketman, an upcoming film about the life of the musician, was aired.

The movie, which is set for release in May next year, has been described by Taron Egerton, who plays John, as using the singer's vast catalogue of songs "to express important beats in his life at emotional moments".

"He's not the only character who sings. It's going to be fun," Daily Mail cited him as saying.

John reportedly told the film-makers to "tell it all" and "go as R-rated as you need to".

Dexter Fletcher, who directed forthcoming rock biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, about Queen singer Freddie Mercury, after its original director Bryan Singer was fired, will helm the John film.