It’s goodbye to life on the road for Elton John

Legend will play two shows at Philips Arena as part of 3-year blitz.

The legendary singer and performer announces a three-year farewell tour.

Elton John has decided that his future lies off the yellow brick road of touring — at least in three years.

The megastar announced at a lavish press event at Gotham Hall in New York on Wednesday afternoon that following a threeyear world tour that will launch in Pennsylvania in September, he will say goodbye to the road.

John will perform at Philips Arena Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Tickets will go on sale Feb. 2.

“My priorities have changed in my life. We have children. I’ve had an amazing life, an amazing career, but my life has changed. My priorities now are my children and my husband and my family. I’ve been touring since I was 17 with various bands. I thought the time was right to say thank you to all of my fans around the world and to say goodbye. That doesn’t mean to say I’m not going to be creative, but I’m not going to travel anymore,” John said.

The singer-pianist, 70, and longtime partner David Furnish are parents to young sons Elijah and Zachary.

At Wednesday’s event, journalists, and host Anderson Cooper,

viewed a spine-tingling virtual reality presentation of John’s career, followed by the stage opening to John, bedecked in a glittery, floral tux, singing “Tiny Dancer” and “I’m Still Standing” alone at his trusty Yamaha grand piano.

“It took about two years to plan today’s event. I wanted to do it in a classy, elegant way. I’m not going to say I’m retiring and then come back for another tour. I’m not Cher!”

John said he will perform 300 dates (“I have to say, Madison Square Garden is my favorite place to play in the whole world — it’s just magic, that place.”) and that it will be the “best production I’ve ever done.”

John, who will perform on the Grammys Sunday

with Miley Cyrus, previously announced that his longrunning Las Vegas spectacle will end in May. His last Atlanta performances came with a rousing set at Music Midtown in September 2015 and a sold-out Philips

Arena show in November 2013.

“I’ve been touring for 48 years,” John said. “It’s a way of saying thank you and a way of going out with a bang. I’m not the sort of guy who’s a whimper-y guy.”

AP PHOTO / MARKUS SCHREIBER Elton John, shown Monday delivering a speech at the Crystal Awards on the eve of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, was in New York on Wednesday announcing his farewell tour.

MELISSA RUGGIERI / MRUGGIERI@AJC.COM Elton John talks to Anderson Cooper about his farewell tour during John’s announcement Wednesday in New York.