Sir Elton John to retire from touring after almost 50 years
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 31: Elton John performs on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2015 on December 31, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for dcp)
Sir Elton John is to perform his last ever tour after five decades in music, according to reports.
The 70-year-old legend will call time on his musical career in an announcement expected later today, the Daily Mirror reports.
The five-time Grammy winner wrote online earlier: “A wrinkle in time. Past meets present… You’ll finally see where the future lies…”
The announcement comes weeks after his beloved mother passed away age 93.
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The I’m Still Standing singer, who has two sons with husband David Furnish, nearly died last year after contracting a bacterial infection while touring in South America.
The infection was described by experts as “rare” and “potentially deadly”, and months of tour dates were cancelled as he recovered from the condition.
Sir Elton’s friends reportedly pleaded with him to slow down after the health scare.
A source told The Sun: “Elton has a real close-knit circle of friends who are genuinely worried about him.
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“Nobody wants him to burn himself out and they hope this recent scare will encourage him to take stock.
“But he’s not even considering retirement at present.”
Last year he admitted that a change in his work was inevitable as he marked his 70th birthday.
“Obviously I work – but the work will get less and less and I’ll spend more time with my children growing up.
Elton John’s AIDS Foundation has raised more than $385 million for HIV- and AIDS-related programs (Getty)
“And that’s what I want to do, I’ll gradually phase things out in a few years.
“It’s not forever but I want to see my kids grow up. I go all over the world. I just don’t want to tour so much.”
His late mother, Sheila Farebrother died age 92 in December, just months after the mother and son ended their longstanding feud.
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In a post to Instagram, he described the funeral as “perfect”.
Writing after her funeral he said: “Dear Mum, today’s funeral was perfect.
“Having the service in the family chapel and attended by your brother and sister brought us all comfort.
Sir Elton John, Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John, Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John and David Furnish (Getty)
“Having the service where Nan lived out her final days brought you and your Mother back together again.
“Tomorrow your friends will gather separately to say their good byes. I’ve chosen all the music so everything will be just right.”
He added: “Thank-you for bringing me into the world and for all that you have done for me. Love, Elton #RIP.”
