Singer Sir Elton John announces final tour: 'I want to go out with a bang'
The musician says his "priorities have changed" as he and husband David Furnish care for their two sons, Elijah and Zachary.
Wednesday 24 January 2018 20:17, UK
Rocket Man singer Sir Elton John says he wants to "go out with a bang" as he revealed plans for a final world tour.
The 70-year-old British musician - who has been touring for nearly 50 years - said he will no longer perform live following his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which is due to start in September.
Announcing his retirement plans, the star said his "priorities have changed" as he and husband David Furnish care for their two sons, Elijah and Zachary.
"In 2015 we sat down with a school schedule and I thought I don't want to miss too much of this," he said.
"My life has changed, my priorities have changed and my priority now is my family."
Sir Elton said the mammoth 300-date tour was a chance "to say thank you to all my fans around the world and then to say goodbye."
"I have had a good run ... I want to go out with a bang," he added.
Asked if he could later reconsider his decision, Sir Elton vowed not to do a "Cher", adding: "This is the end".
But he also said: "I'm stopping touring - I'm not stopping music."
Sir Elton is due to see out his Las Vegas residency, which runs until 19 May, and play two dates in Georgia in June and July.
He will kick off his three-year tour in the US in September before arriving in the UK and Europe in April 2019.
Sir Elton, whose mother Sheila died in December, rejected claims his decision to stop performing was due to health problems.
He was forced to cancel a set of shows last year after spending two nights in intensive care due to a bacterial infection.
And in 2013, Sir Elton - who was fitted with a pacemaker in 1999 - said he was "grateful to be alive" after being diagnosed with appendicitis which forced him to cancel shows across Europe.
He also cancelled several American shows in 2012 because of a respiratory infection.
Sir Elton announced his decision his final live tour during a New York press conference which he opened with a rendition of Tiny Dancer and I'm Still Standing.
A video was also played featuring some of Sir Elton's greatest hits, including Rocket Man and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, moments from his biggest gigs and photos of him with celebrities, such as Diana, Princess of Wales.
Sir Elton started gigging at his local pub aged 15 in 1962 under his birth name Reggie Dwight.
By the 1970s, he was touring the United States and became an instant success.
After forming the Elton John Band, he was soon touring all over the world, including Soviet Russia, where he became the first international popstar to perform there.
The announcement follows Sir Elton releasing his greatest hits compilation album Diamonds in November, which was put together to commemorate 50 years of his work with lyricist Bernie Taupin.
He is also reportedly working on the soundtrack for next year's remake of the Lion King alongside Beyonce.