Paul Simon is ready to bow out from touring, gracefully — and for good.
Paul Simon
https://www.grammy.com/grammys/videos/paul-simon-wins-album-year
The GRAMMY winner has announced dates for his upcoming Homeward Bound — The Farewell Tour. The U.S. leg will commence May 16 in Vancouver and go on to stops such as Los Angeles, Dallas, Seattle, Las Vegas, Chicago, Detroit, and Boston. The jaunt is scheduled to wrap June 20 in Nashville, Tenn.
"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," Simon wrote via statement. "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."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A message from Paul Simon — February 5, 2018<a href="https://t.co/kdNRIgKswR">https://t.co/kdNRIgKswR</a> <a href="https://t.co/EFq3Ry4cUp">pic.twitter.com/EFq3Ry4cUp</a></p>— Paul Simon (@PaulSimonMusic) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulSimonMusic/status/960513360025436161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Simon's recent loss of Vincent N'guini, his lead guitarist and longtime friend, was also a contributing factor to his decision to retire from touring.
"His loss is not the only reason I've decided to stop touring, but it is a contributing factor," said Simon. "Mostly, though, I feel the travel and time away from my wife and family takes a toll that detracts from the joy of playing."
A 16-time GRAMMY winner, Simon earned Album Of The Year honors three times: once with Simon And Garfunkel for Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970) and twice as a solo artist for Still Crazy After All These Years (1975) and Graceland (1986). Simon also earned Record Of The Year three times for "Mrs. Robinson" (1968), "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (1970) and "Graceland" (1986). The New Jersey native's GRAMMY haul also includes a Song Of The Year win for "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
Simon hosted Music's Biggest Night once, presiding over the 23rd GRAMMY Awards in 1981.
