Elton, Joel summer concert canceled

CHICAGO, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Singer Elton John says he's "bitterly disappointed" the summer 2010 leg of his joint concert tour with Billy Joel has been canceled.

The British pop star and the "Piano Man" have toured together in recent years but Joel decided he needed a break, The Chicago Tribune reported.

"It's not my decision, it's Billy's," John said in a satellite TV interview Friday from the Beverly Hills Hotel.

"He has decided to take a year off It doesn't gel with my plans but he's a friend. And as an artist you have to respect his decision.'

John said he was "bitterly disappointed," the pair would not perform July 7 in Wrigley Field. "That's the church," he said.

"As far as I know, there will be no more Billy and Elton shows after the Albany show in New York on March 11th and that breaks my heart since I was so looking forward to coming back there. I'm heartbroken and very cut-up. It's not my decision, it's Billy decision but unfortunately, that's not going to be happening," John told WGN-TV, Chicago.

John was promoting the musical "Billy Elliot, which is playing in Chicago.