The singer was booked at Estoril Casino outside the Portugese capital September 13. Some 1,200 fans had paid up to $215 for the dinner show but were treated to an Elton Moment instead.

About 30 minutes before show time Sir Elton reportedly expressed some alarm that the theatre was only half full. Shortly before curtain time, he told organizers he needed some air and was going out for a drive. He never returned.

“He said he was going out to get some air but then he jumped into his car and went to the airport to catch his private jet. He never said goodbye to anyone,” casino spokesman Nuno Lima de Carvalho said.

His concern over the empty seats was all for naught, however. The crowd, which included Portugese government ministers, bank presidents and national newspapers, was simply slow in moving to the concert hall after dinner, according to de Carvalho.

He added that the venue was considering taking legal action. “It was a tantrum, but this kind of behavior has consequences.”