Elton John cancels Vegas dates due to respiratory infection

Elton John performs in Toledo in 2010.

NEW YORK — Singer Elton John has been hospitalized with a serious respiratory infection and on Thursday canceled three nights of performances this weekend of his “The Million Dollar Piano” show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

In a statement released on his website, the British entertainer, whose hits include “Rocket Man,” “Your Song” and “Bennie and The Jets,” apologized for the decision and told fans he hoped to be performing soon.

“It feels strange not to be able to perform these ’Million Dollar Piano’ concerts at The Colosseum. I love performing this show and will be thrilled when we return to The Colosseum in October to complete the eleven concerts soon to be scheduled,” he said.

The singer said he developed a serious respiratory illness while performing on Sunday. After the condition worsened he was treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Following tests, he was given antibiotics and told not to perform for a week.

John opened his Las Vegas act last September and began a second series of performances in February. A child piano prodigy, John, 65, rose from a part-time pub player to become one of the most successful recording artists of all time.

He completed a 5-year residency at the Colosseum in 2009 with “The Red Piano” , which ran for 241 shows.