The duo spent the first half of 2001 on the road together and the venture proved extremely successful with just about all of the 31 shows selling out. Fans got their money’s worth as most of the concerts lasted more than four hours.

This Face To Face outing marks the fifth time Captain Fantastic and the Piano Man have teamed for a trek. They’ve joined forces for jaunts in 1994, 1995, 1998 and of course, earlier this year.

Sir Elton is currently on the road tickling the ivories. He plays to audiences in Japan, China, Thailand and Singapore before heading Stateside at the end of November. After his dates with Joel, John continues on to Australia for the month of April.

Aside from charity gigs and stints with Elton, Joel has kept out of the solo touring circuit since 1999. Recently, he’s been busy in the recording studio, working on an album tackling the roots of the piano: classical music. Joel’s Fantasies & Delusions was released in September and finds the artist exploring more classical themes than his traditional pop/jazz.

The Essential Billy Joel, a double CD of his greatest hits, hit the stores at the beginning of October.