Elton John announces 300-date farewell tour

Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Elton John announced during a special live-streamed event Wednesday that he will be retiring from touring following a 300-date farewell tour.

"I'm not going to be touring and traveling the world. My priorities have changed. I have young children," the music icon said to moderator Anderson Cooper onstage during the event, which included John playing songs such as "Tiny Dancer" and "I'm Still Standing."

"My priorities now are my children, my husband and my family," he continued. "I love them so much I don't want to miss them and I don't want them to miss me."

John said the tour, which will span the globe and last three years, will be the "best production" he's ever done. "I don't want to go out with a whimper, I want to go out with a bang," he said.

"I want people to come to the shows, take away some good feelings and hopefully its like saying goodbye to a friend."

The singer also confirmed that he will still be making music following the tour and that he is healthy after being forced to cancel a series of shows in April due to contracting a rare infection in South America.