Elton John announces farewell world concerts

The 70-year-old singer, one of the best-selling recording artists in the world over a 50-year career, told a news conference in New York that his priorities have changed after becoming a parent to two children with his husband David Furnish.

"I love them so much. I don't want to miss them and I don't want them to miss me," he said. "I've had a good run."

He said his last tour, called "Farewell Yellow Brick Road," would start in September 2018 in the United States and would last through 2021, taking him all around the world.

"It will be a wonderful way to thank people," he said. "It's a way of going out with a bang. I’m not the kind of guy to go out with a whimper."

John made the announcement after a live performance of his hits "Tiny Dancer" and "I'm Still Standing."