After decades of performing around the world, Elton John has decided to step back from superstar life to be a family man at home. His last tour, Farewell Yellow Brick Road, kicked off in the U.S. in September 2018 and is set to conclude in 2023 after he’s done more than 300 shows across the globe.
“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,” the “Rocketman” singer said in a YouTube video in January 2018. “It’s time to come off the road so I can fully embrace the next important chapter of my life.”
At the time, Elton opened up about his decision to stop touring in an interview with Good Morning America. The tour, which was originally set to run through 2021, was pushed back due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Now, his last show will be on January 28, 2023, in Aukland, New Zealand.
“Why now? … well before the children, I thought … this is what I’m going be doing till the day I die,” he explained to veteran journalist Robin Roberts. “But I don’t want to be traveling away from my children … I’d rather be with my children than still be playing shows.”
Looking back on the moment he became a dad, the Oscar winner — who married husband David Furnish in 2014 after being together since 1993 — said everything changed. Elton and the Canadian filmmaker welcomed both of their kids via surrogacy: Zachary in 2010, and Elijah in 2013.
“I’ve never … experienced anything like it, being a father,” the “I’m Still Standing” crooner said on GMA, noting “there’s no contest” between being a doting dad and a performer. Once he started thinking about his future, stepping back from the spotlight was “a very easy decision to make.”
Because he’s gearing up to say goodbye to the long days of touring, Elton plans to “go out with a bang” during his farewell tour. “I want people to appreciate me as a musician and a human being. I want my last performance to be in America,” he told Robin. “This is where I got my start.”
After his tour, the famed pianist and David don’t plan on having any more kids. “I mean we’re too old to have any more,” the musician revealed to The Sun in March 2019. “If we were 20 years, 15 years younger, we’d have probably had another one at least. But with the boys we’ve got enough on our hands.”
Zachary and Elijah have stepped out for rare appearances with their dads over the years including the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party in March 2022. The boys wore matching navy blue suits as they posed with David and cohosts Lady Gaga and Brandy Carlile.
The youngsters looked like total pros out on the red carpet as they snapped photos with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Elton was unable to attend the event in person but appeared via satellite from his concert in Nebraska. His kids definitely stole the show with their adorable smiles.
Scroll below to meet Elton and David’s two kids!
Closer
