USA TODAY International Edition
Elton John bids the road ‘an epic farewell’
Upcoming tour will be his last as singer plans to spend more time raising his family.
NEW YORK – Sir Elton John is putting his touring days behind him.
In a live-streamed announcement Wednesday, the 70-year-old singer announced that his upcoming world tour will be his last: He’s retiring from the road.
“My priorities have changed,” John said in a live interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
He said he needs to dedicate more time to raising his family. His two children will be 10 and 8 years old when he steps off the road. He said he will continue recording and composing.
“I can’t physically do the traveling anymore. I want to be at home. I really want to spend time with my children at home. I’ve had an incredible life, but life is all about change.”
The upcoming world tour will be grueling: three years and 300 dates into 2021. He’s calling it an “epic Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour,” and he said tickets will go on sale in North America Feb. 2.
“I’ve had a good run, I think you’d admit that,” John said, adding he wanted to “leave people thinking, ‘I saw the last tour and it was fantastic.’ ”
So is he actually retiring? John acknowledged the question in a joke.
“I’m not going to say I’m retiring and then do a world tour. I’m not Cher. Though I like wearing her clothes,” said John, who’s known for his wacky onstage style. He announced he is partnering with Gucci for the tour costumes.
John is now performing in his Las Vegas residency The Million Dollar Piano at Caesar’s Palace, which will end after more than 200 shows on May 19.
John hinted at Wednesday’s news in a tribute video on his Twitter page, announcing he is “embarking on the next phase of his creative journey.”
“I’ve finally decided where my future lies,” teased the British philanthropist/ pop star, one of the world’s best-selling artists (more than 300 million records) and a major fundraiser and champion for AIDS/HIV research.
“On August 25 1970, Elton John made his US debut in a legendary six-night sold out run at West Hollywood’s Troubadour,” the video’s text reads. “Five decades later he continues to be a creative force moving faster than the speed of culture. Now Elton’s embarking on the next phase of his creative journey and it will be every bit as surprising and powerful as his first performance almost 50 years ago.”
John is scheduled to perform a duet with Miley Cyrus at Sunday’s Grammy Awards, and musicians including Cyrus, John Legend, Kesha and Sam Smith will join him for a tribute concert at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 30.