Elton John's retirement plans slammed by Smokey Robinson ahead of Glastonbury

13 March 2023 , 07:54

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Elton John's retirement plans slammed by Smokey Robinson ahead of Glastonbury

Sir Elton John announced his plans to retire later this year in order to spend more time with his husband and their children – but his plans were mocked by Smokey Robinson.

The legendary hitmaker, 75, has had a career spanning over six decades and will hang up his touring boots in July this year, just one month after his performance at Glastonbury.

However, Sir Elton has planned to retire on several occasions but has later decided to once again hit the road and backtracked on his announcements – which started in 1977.

Now, hitmaker Smokey Robinson has mocked Sir Elton's latest plans to live a quiet life away from the stage.

Smokey Robinson appeared to take a swipe at Sir Elton John's plans to retire (Getty Images North America)

Sir Elton has made several retirement announcements over the years (FilmMagic)

Speaking to The Mirror at Sir Elton's Oscar's viewing party in Hollywood, Robinson of his retirement: "I've said that too… Elton has retired five times so I will wait and see."

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But despite his amusing quip, Smokey explained he would "love" to join Sir Elton on stage at Glastonbury later this year if he was asked.

Speaking of his retirement, Sir Elton told CBS News: "I want to be with my family, I mean, I've been touring since I was 17 in the back of a van.

The legendary hitmaker plans to hang up his touring shoes in July (Getty Images)

"I've had the most incredible life, I've been so lucky, and I've loved every single minute of it but I've had enough of that applause, and I really want... I'll be 76 years of age when I stop touring in 2023.

"I want to do something different with the rest of my life."

Sir Elton will take his final bow on stage in Stockholm, Sweden on July 8 following over 300 concerts across the globe since he started his career.

But his first retirement announcement came during a show at Wembley Stadium in 1977 when he told the audience: "I've made a decision tonight... This is going to be the last show."

Sir Elton's career has spanned over six decades (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

However, he later hit the road again before later announcing in 1984 that he would be making the decision to hang up his touring boots.

But in 2010, aged 63, he told GQ magazine: "People aren't screaming for another Elton John record and I'm not screaming to make another record."

Three years later, he released his 29th studio album, The Diving Board but just one year later at the Festival de Carcassonne in France, he told thousands of fans he had "no more shows, no more music, no more songs."

But while Sir Elton seems adamant he's hanging up his boots at the end of his Follow The Yellow Brick Road tour, could he be preparing for more shows?

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