The 70-year-old musician announced his decision during an event held in New York City on Wednesday, which was moderated by CNN anchor Anderson Cooper.

 

“My priorities have changed in my life,” John explained. “My priorities now are my children, my husband, my family. I thought the time is right to say thank you to my fans and say goodbye.”

 

John stressed that his decision to retire has nothing to do with his health (last year, he was forced to cancel several concerts after contracting a rare bacterial infection). As evidence, John pointed to the tour’s expansive itinerary, which will span over 300 dates and touch down in nearly every continent. “That doesn’t sound like someone who is in poor health to me,” he quipped.

 

The tour, officially dubbed 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road,' will launch in North America starting in September. He’ll then hit Europe in April 2019, Asia in November 2019, Australia in December 2019, South American in March 2020. He plans to conclude the outing with another leg of European/UK dates in late 2020 before finishing up in North American in 2021.

 

John maintains that once he’s done with the tour, he’s done. “I’m not going to say I’m retiring and then do a world tour. I’m not Cher,” he told Cooper.