Elton John jokes: “There's not much left of me” before listing missing organs

• Elton John joked about his health struggles over the years as he gave a heartfelt speech at the New York premiere of his documentary Elton John: Never too late on Tuesday, October 1st
• “To be honest, there’s not much of me left,” the music icon joked at the event
• In the speech, John also thanked his family for making him the “happiest man in the world.”

Elton John is grateful to his family and fans after suffering from several health problems over the years.

On Tuesday, October 1, the 77-year-old singer-songwriter gave an emotional speech while attending the premiere of The New York Film Festival Elton John: Never too lateaccompanied by his husband David Furnish and RJ Cutler, who co-directed the documentary.

Speaking after the documentary aired, John – who also serenaded the audience with “Tiny Dancer” at the event – spoke about his health journey, sharing: “To be honest, there's not much left of me. I don't do that.” I have tonsils, adenoids or an appendix. I don't have a prostate.

“I don’t have a right hip, left knee or right knee. In fact, the only thing I have left is my left hip. But I'm still here. And I can’t thank you.” [enough]you are the people who made me. “I want to thank David, Zachary and Elijah for making me the happiest man in the world,” the music icon continued, referring to his partner and their two sons.

John and Furnish – who entered into a civil partnership in December 2005 and officially tied the knot nine years later when same-sex marriage became legal in the UK – welcomed their older son Zachary, 13, via surrogate in 2010. Their son Elijah, 11, joined the family in 2013 via the same surrogate.

John said of his family at Tuesday's event: “When I met David and had my children, our children, I felt complete and utter happiness and bliss. And it satisfied me so much. I've never felt as happy as I do now.” ”

“As you know, I have decided to stop touring because I am 77 years old. I did everything there was to do, which was play. I succeeded. I've been there and done it.” John added that he decided to step back from touring after playing his final date at Farewell Yellow Brick Road in Stockholm in July 2023.

“I still have to make space because I will still have music in my life. But the most important things in my life are David, Zachary and Elijah and my family and my friends. I found utopia and “I’m so excited,” he insisted.

John has been vocal about both family life and his health issues over the years, revealing on Instagram on September 3 that he had “reduced vision” in one of his eyes after a serious eye infection.

In August 2023, John's rep assured PEOPLE that the “Rocket Man” singer was in “good health” after a “slip-up” at his villa in Nice, France. A few years earlier, the five-time Grammy winner postponed the remaining 2021 tour dates to 2023 after he “fell awkwardly on a hard surface” and injured his hip.

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On Tuesday, John thanked the combination of music and his fans for getting him “through the good times and the bad” throughout his decades-long career.

“Even when I was in my darkest times, I still made music, I still recorded music, so I have to thank music for being the most incredible inspiration to me throughout my life,” John said .

The New York event came after John's documentary, which looks back on his incredible life, had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

Elton John: Never too late will have a limited theatrical release in the US and UK from November 15th. The premiere on Disney+ will take place on December 13th.