Tickets for the just-added dates go on sale February 3.The tour kicks off January 19 at the Cox Arena in San Diego and ticket prices for premium seats will top out at $175 in most markets.

Face To Face 2001 marks the fourth time Captain Fantastic and the Piano Man have teamed up for a concert trek. The duo did North American jaunts in 1994, 1995 and 1998.

During the last outing with Sir Elton, Joel developed throat and upper respiratory problems including persistent laryngitis and was forced to abandon a European leg of the tour.

He mounted a headline tour in 1999 but was fairly quiet last year, with the exception of special one-offs such as Sting’s rainforest benefit last April.

The native New Yorker, who has repeatedly said he’s cutting back on touring in order to concentrate on composing classical music, most recently appeared at Yankee Stadium to sing the national anthem at the opening game of the 2000 World Series.

His last major concert was a millennium New Year’s Eve bash at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

John, however, has toured regularly during the past two years, playing major arenas and secondary markets that rarely see stars of his magnitude.