Elton John Announces Retirement From Touring After 50 Years | HuffPost

But he has one final (three year) jaunt planned.

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Elton John has announced his retirement from touring, after 50 years of performing around the world.

The ‘Rocket Man’ superstar revealed the news on Wednesday (24 January), explaining that he will go on one, final (three year!) tour, which starts this September.

Shannon Stapleton / Reuters

Speaking at a press conference in New York, where he was being interviewed by Anderson Cooper, he said: “The announcement is that I am not going to be touring any more apart from the one that starts this September.”

The ‘Your Song’ hitmaker then revealed the plans for the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, explaining he will perform 300 dates, over three years.

He said: “My priorities have changed in my life. We had children and that change our lives.

“In 2015, David and I sat down with a school schedule and I thought, I don’t want to miss too much of this.

“My priorities have changed in my life. We had children and that change our lives.

“In 2015, David and I sat down with a school schedule and I thought, I don’t want to miss too much of this.

“It doesn’t mean i’m not going to be creative, I’m just not going to tour anymore.”

Elton on stage in 2016

PA Archive/PA Images

Directly addressing earlier claims he is bowing out due to illness, Elton added: “If you’re going to do 300 shows, you’re not in ill health.”

In a statement issued shortly after the press conference took place, he said: “Performing live fuels me and I’m ecstatic and humbled to continue to play to audiences across the globe.

“I plan to bring the passion and creativity that has entertained my fans for decades to my final tour.

“After the tour finishes, I’m very much looking forward to closing off that chapter of my life by saying farewell to life on the road. I need to dedicate more time to raising my children.”

Elton first began touring in the early 1970s, after a succesful string of gigs at the Troubadour Club in Los Angeles.

Elton John perfoming at Wembley in May 1974

EMPICS Entertainment

In the decades since, he’s completed over 40 tours of various lengths and is currently midway through a Las Vegas residency, that is scheduled to come to an end in May.

In April 2017, health problems forced Elton to postpone nine South America tour dates, with his spokesperson later revealing the singer had contracted a “potentially deadly” infection.

“Elton’s medical team identified this quickly and treated it successfully. He is expected to make a full and complete recovery,” they said at the time.

After spending time recuperating, he returned to the stage in June, with a triumphant show at Twickenham Stadium.

“Thank you for coming out,” he told the audience. “At one point it was touch and go as to if I’d even be here.”

Fans can register here to receive more information about the tour and updates on when tickets will be avaliable.

Elton John: 75 Rare And Beautiful Early Years Photos

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British singer, songwriter and musician Elton John (Reginald Kenneth Dwight) playing piano. Rome, 1973 (Photo by Rino Petrosino\Mondadori Portfolio by Getty Images) (credit:Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: Elton John performs at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California on October 25, 1975. (Photo by Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (credit:Larry Hulst via Getty Images)

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CIRCA 1971: Pop singer Elton John poses for a portrait wearing glasses in circa 1971. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (credit:Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)

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(Original Caption) 8/25/1975-- L-r: Rock star Elton John is shown embracing singer Bette Midler on the set of the "Cher" TV show on CBS. Both are wearing outlandish costumes. (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)

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7th November 1970: Portrait of British-born musician Elton John playing the piano and singing. John wears sunglasses, a long-sleeved shirt covered in white stars, and many rings. (Photo by Jack Robinson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (credit:Jack Robinson via Getty Images)

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Portrait of British musician Elton John, dressed in a leather duster (or long coat) as he plays piano, 1970. (Photo by Jack Robinson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (credit:Jack Robinson via Getty Images)

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