Paul Simon is outta here.
A little update: Look for Simon probably with Garfunkel at Madison Square Garden. MSG has June 23-24 open before U2 arrives.
Earlier:
Like Elton John and Neil Diamond and Aretha Franklin before him, Simon is retiring from touring.
Simon says: “I’ve often wondered what it would feel like to reach the point where I’d consider bringing my performing career to a natural end. Now I know: it feels a little unsettling, a touch exhilarating and something of a relief. I love making music, my voice is still strong, and my band is a tight, extraordinary group of gifted musicians. I think about music constantly. I am very grateful for a fulfilling career and, of course, most of all to the audiences who heard something in my music that touched their hearts.”
Simon has just announced dates for a Farewell Tour in the US, UK and Europe. But no dates have been set yet for New York. I am told that the whole thing will end in a huge New York blitz probably featuring Art Garfunkel. You heard it here first.
Simon is 76 years old. Once he, Elton, Diamond, Aretha are off the tour track, that will leave the Rolling Stones (combined age 700), Paul McCartney (eternally young), and what’s left of The Who touring from the classic rock era.
PS I hope Paul (like Elton) keeps writing songs and albums.
