Elton John Confirms He’s Done Touring Forever

Elton John released his album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road all the way back in 1973, and over 50 years later, has confirmed that he’s saying goodbye to the road for good. The musical icon, 77, confirmed in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, published Thursday, that he does not plan to tour ever again. His final show was last July, in Stockholm, Sweden.

“The last show in Stockholm on the farewell tour after Glastonbury, I got in the car and went, ‘Yes! yes!’ We went out on the biggest high, just the way I wanted to, and there’s no going back [after] that,” John said.

John’s husband, David Furnish, elaborated on John’s decision to stop touring.

“We’ve got our sons, you know, they’re getting into their teenage years now,” he said. The couple share Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11. “We don’t want to miss anything. We want to be present for that. It’s sort of a key decade, I think, in a child’s life.”

Besides, John has been at it for decades.

“He’s been doing it for 60 years,” Furnish added. “So it’s nice to have that time to spend at home with family.”

At that final Stockholm show, John thanked the gathered crowd for their decades of support and shared that he was done touring, but not necessarily done performing.

“I’ve had the most wonderful career, beyond belief,” he said. “Fifty-two years of pure joy playing music. How lucky am I to play music? But you know, I wouldn’t be sitting here and talking to you if it wasn’t for you. You bought the singles, the CDs, the albums, the cassettes, but more importantly, you bought the tickets to the shows. You know how much I love to play live. It’s been my lifeblood to play for you guys. You’ve been absolutely magnificent.”

“I will never be touring again, but I may do something in the future— a one-off thing—but that’s miles away,” he continued. “I want to appreciate my family, my sons, my husband, everything. I’ve earned it. And I don’t regret it tonight. I want to thank the band, the crew, everybody. I will miss you guys so much, but I’ll see you much sooner than you think. I love you guys!”

The “Rocket Man” singer has won five Grammys and been nominated 35 times in his career, and after an Emmys win in January for his Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium special, chronicling his final November 2022 U.S. concert, became the 19th person to ever clinch the coveted EGOT title as a winner of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. He was also knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth in 1998, and provided the soundtrack for a world grieving Princess Diana’s 1997 death with his re-recording of “Candle in the Wind,” with slightly retooled lyrics paying tribute to his friend. In 2022, John was invited to perform at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration.

He still has relationships with the royal family now as well: Ahead of John’s final Dodger Stadium date, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released a surprise video message for the musician, who performed at their 2018 wedding.

“Thank you for entertaining everybody for so many decades,” Harry said. “Thank you for being the friend that you were for my mum, thank you for being our friend. Thank you for being friend to our kids and thank you for entertaining people right around the world. Even though this is officially your retirement, this will not be your last gig, we know that. But we love you and congratulations on an incredible career.”

John’s reason for unpacking his suitcase and putting an end to the touring life is unsurprising after just one glance at his 2023 answers to Vanity Fair’s Proust Questionnaire. In response to the prompt, “What is your idea of perfect happiness?” John answered, “Being with my husband, David, and the boys.”