It’s been 55 years since Elton John released his debut album Empty Sky (1969) and over 50 years since he released his most popular album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973).
The musical icon, 77, has now confirmed he is done touring, and heartbreakingly, fans will not get the chance to see him on the road again.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight published on June 27, John revealed his show in Stockholm, Sweden, last July, was in fact his last.
“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.
“We’ve got our sons, you know, they’re getting into their teenage years now.
“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.”
John and his husband David Furnish became the first “registered” gay couple in the UK after they registered their civil partnership at Windsor Guildhall government services and municipal offices in London.
They then started to grow their family and welcomed their first child, Zachary, 13, via surrogate, and later, Elijah, 11, via the same surrogate.
Furnish was present in the interview and added that “he’s been doing it for 60 years… So it’s nice to have that time to spend at home with family.”
At his last show on July 8, 2023, John said his farewells to the crowd in a sweet goodbye speech.
“My very first concert was in Sweden on the 7th of July in 197, so more or less 52 years ago since the day I first played in Stockholm,” he began.
“I’ve had the most wonderful career, beyond belief. 52 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 forget you guys, I’ve played so many concerts, how could I forget? You’re in my head, my heart, and my soul and I thank you so much.
“I will never be touring again, but I may do something in the future— a one-off thing—but that’s miles away.
“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!”
