Despite some initial hiccups, the “Face 2 Face” tour featuring legendary piano men Billy Joel and Elton John went on to recover nicely when the whole thing was shifted to early this year. But now that the two’s most recent tour together (they’ve danced this dance in 1994 and 2003) is kaput, Sir Elton was seemingly out of things to do. That’s all changed now as the more flamboyant of the two will spend his spring touring the States.

In an interview with Chicago’s WGN-TV last month, John said that the two had a good time and were ending amicably after the March 11th Albany, NY show, but their immediate plans just didn’t click.

“As far as I know, there will be no more Billy and Elton shows after the Albany show in New York on March 11th,” John said. “It’s not my decision, it’s Billy’s. He has decided to take a year off. It doesn’t gel with my plans but he’s a friend. And as an artist, you have to respect his decision.”

Joel told RollingStone.com that he’s had a lot on his plate both professionally and personally and needed a little time for the Piano Man.

“I promised myself more personal time this year. I’m going to Italy, and I’ll probably go to Paris. I’ll probably take my boat to New England and hang out on the coast. I’ll ride my motorcycle. I’ll just be a bum.”

But those in need of some piano heavy pop can always turn to John. John’s minor solo jaunt, made up of ten dates, will kick off on April 6th in Corpus Christi Texas, jump across much of the Midwest and end on May 1st in Youngstown, OH. The dates will follow a March tour in South Africa and proceed an extensive European endeavor set for late May and June.

It should also be noted that Joel said the “Face 2 Face ” tour may come back at some point, but there’s no definitive plans. We’ll keep you updated regarding that and any other Elton John dates.

Tickets for many of the upcoming dates are now on sale via Ticketmaster.com.

Elton John 2010 Tour Dates:
03/21 – Johannesburg, ZA @ The Botanical Gardens
03/24 – Cape Town, ZA @ Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
03/25 – Cape Town, ZA @ Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
03/26 – Port Elizabeth, ZA @ NMMU Sportsfields
04/03 – Merida, MX @ Chichen Itza
04/06 – Corpus Christi, TX @ AmericanBank Center
04/09 – Lubbock, TX @ United Spirit Center
04/10 – Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center
04/15 – Hoffman Estates, IL @ Sears Centre Arena
04/16 – Des Moines, IA @ Wells Fargo Arena
04/17 – Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center
04/24 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
04/25 – Toledo, OH @ Lucas County Arena
04/30 – Reading, PA @ Sovereign Center
05/01 – Youngstown, OH @ Covelli Center
05/26 – Rabat, MA @ Mawazine Festival
05/28 – Jelling, DK @ Jelling MusikFestival
05/29 – Watford, UK @ Watford Football Club
05/30 – Warsaw, PL @ Stadion Polonii
06/03 – Belgrade, RS @ Belgrade Arena
06/08 – Budapest, HR @ Sportsarena
06/10 – Prague, CZ @ O2 Arena
06/12 – Bucharest, RO @ Piata Constitutiei
06/13 – Sofia, BG @ Lokomotiv Stadium
06/17 – Tel Aviv, IL @ National Football Stadium
06/19 – Linz, AT @ Urfahraner Jahrmarkt
06/20 – Graz, AT @ Schwarzlsee
09/17 – Milan, IT @ Teatro degli Arcimboldi
09/19 – Rome, IT @ Auditorium Parco della Musica
09/20 – Rome, IT @ Auditorium Parco della Musica