After a career that’s spanned over five decades, Elton John has announced his retirement from touring to spend more time with family. Elton won’t be quitting cold turkey though, he will embark on a massive farewell tour, which will take him across five continents over a run of three years.

John made the official announcement of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour at Gotham Hall in NYC yesterday. Also addressing rumours that the announcement had something to do with his health, to which John said, “if you’re going to do 300 shows, you’re not in ill health.” The reason for John’s retirement, instead, is that he’d like to spend more time with his two children.

Here in the snow with our beautiful boys. @davidfurnish #ShareTheLove

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John also says that he plans to keep writing records and broadway musicals. Watch the stream of the farewell tour announcement below.

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