SIR Elton John tries not to focus on his rock star life when he’s at home and admits he “owes” it to his children to quit touring.
The 71-year-old singer is currently on his three-year farewell tour and revealed his decision to retire is all down to his two young sons, Zachary, eight and Elijah, six.
He told the Daily Mirror: “The reason I did this farewell tour was because I’ve been travelling since I was 17 in a group and then as Elton.
“The situation has changed personally. My children need to be with me and I need to be with them.
“I’m fed up travelling – and I travel in the most comfortable, luxurious way – but I find it really boring.
“By the time I finish I’ll be at least 75. That will be a chance to reassess what I want to do. I just owe it to those children to be there for them.”
And although they live a life of unimaginable luxury and count Lady Gaga as their Godmother or “Gagamother”, Elton insisted his sons with husband David Furnish, 56, are “quite grounded”.
He said: “They’ve seen the tour in New York. They know Daddy is famous. But when we are out and people are taking our photograph or ask for a photograph, they say, ‘Why do they want your photograph?’
“We always say it’s ‘because people like my music’. We don’t say because I’m famous, or anything like that. I try to leave Elton on the stage.
“And they love their daddy’s music but they also like a lot of other people’s music, so they’re quite grounded.”
Sir Elton is worth is worth £300million and will reveal details of his colourful life in his forthcoming biopic.
He’s aware his sons have a very privileged lifestyle, but the Rocket Man singer is keen to impress on them the importance of hard work and instil the same values he grew up with.
Speaking to reporters at his Oscars viewing party last week, he said: “They come from a well-off background, which will afford its own advantages. I came from a very working class background where I had to work for everything I got, and I want to instil those same values in them.
“But it’s harder growing up in this world and David and I are very mindful of that.
“They’re fantastic young boys, they have good hearts and compassionate, kind personalities.
“We just want to be there for them, guide the as best we can. It’s all you can do really, as a parent.”
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