Elton John performs in Paraguay

Asuncion: British music icon Sir Elton John served up an intimate performance for his first-ever concert in Paraguay.

John gave his band the night off, appearing alone on stage with his piano before some 5,000 fans gathered in a courtyard at the Yacht y Golf Club Paraguayo, just outside Asuncion. "Hello, Paraguay. I`m very happy to be in this beautiful country," he told the crowd before launching into ‘The One’, followed by a score of hits such as ‘Tiny Dancer’, ‘Candle in the Wind’ and ‘Rocket Man’. Tickets for the show went for prices ranging from $99 to $734. The 65-year-old artist`s Latin American tour includes Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. John has sold more than 250 million albums worldwide in a career now in its fifth decade. IANS