Grammys: Elton John appears for first time since announcing retirement to perform with Miley Cyrus
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 28: Recording artists Sir Elton John (L) and Miley Cyrus perform onstage during the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NARAS)
Sir Elton John has taken to the Grammys stage days after announcing he is to retire from touring.
The legendary performer, 70, appeared with Miley Cyrus in a Grammy Awards dedication to the old and new of music.
The pair sang Sir Elton’s 1972 hit Tiny Dancer together, spread over a piano.
Sir Elton John and David Furnish (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS)
Sir Elton began the performance solo, with a single white rose on his piano as a nod to the Time’s Up movement, calling an end to sexual harassment.
Wrecking Ball singer Miley then joined him on stage in a large red ball gown, swaggering with her country music twang for the song’s second verse.
The appearance was far from his first Grammys duet, having previously appeared alongside the likes of Eminem and Lady Gaga.
He also has five Grammy awards of his own spanning a five decades career.
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Just last week the I’m Still Standing singer announced his impending retirement from touring.
Speaking at a press conference in New York he said: “I always thought I was going to be like Ray Charles, BB King – on the road forever.
“My priorities have changed. We had children and it changed our lives. That doesn’t mean to say I’m not going to be creative, but I’m not going to travel.”
The star denied reports that he was retiring due to ill health.
Sir Elton John (Getty)
“Last year I picked up an infection and I was very ill and it knocked me sideways,” he said.
“But I still did 96 shows. Believe me – if you ever do 300 shows, you’re not in ill health.”
Sir Elton’s friends reportedly pleaded with him to slow down after he nearly died from a bacterial infection while touring in South America in 2017.
A source told The Sun: “Elton has a real close-knit circle of friends who are genuinely worried about him.
“Nobody wants him to burn himself out and they hope this recent scare will encourage him to take stock.
“But he’s not even considering retirement at present.”
