Piano men Elton and Billy return to Xcel

Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune

Elton John, left, and Billy Joel at their 2003 appearance in the Twin Cities.

It'll be the veteran rockers' third time together in the Twin Cities, following a 2003 date that set the X's attendance record.

Star Tribune

Last update: January 14, 2009 - 7:52 PM

It's a three-peat for rock's most famous two piano men.

Elton John and Billy Joel will return to the Twin Cities on May 5 to perform at Xcel Energy Center, where they set an attendance record of 20,250 in 2003. They also performed together at a sold-out Target Center concert in 2001.

Tickets to the new X date, part of their Face 2 Face Tour, go on sale Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. for the recession-defying prices of $179.50 and $99.50, plus a small number of $54 seats. The concert was announced with a VIP news conference at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday featuring St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and a "themed lunch" for media representatives.

"I love touring with Billy. I have the greatest respect for him and we're such good friends," Elton said in a news release. The knighted British singer is reuniting with Joel on off weeks from his stint at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER