Paul Simon is saying goodbye to touring with one final show. He has announced he’ll be bringing his “The Farewell Performance” gig to London’s Hyde Park on July 15.
The 76-year-old singer shared a message to fans Monday on Twitter, explaining that his has decided to stop touring because “I feel the travel and time away from my wife and family takes a toll that detracts from the joy of playing.
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He said the decision was also due in part to the death of his friend and longtime lead guitarist Vincent N’guini in December, adding that he does “anticipate doing the occasional performance” in the future.
Simon was confirmed as the final headliner for this year’s British Summer Time music festival Tuesday, with the exciting news being announced via Instagram.
The musician will be joining Bruno Mars, Eric Clapton, The Cure, and Michael Buble to perform at the U.K. summer music extravaganza.
AEG Presents senior vice-president James King said, according to NME: “There is no finer way to close Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park 2018 than watching Paul Simon take London on a musical odyssey through one of the most remarkable songbooks in history. Paul, James [Taylor] and Bonnie [Raitt] all together on the Great Oak Stage has to be the show of the summer and a truly unmissable event.”
This certainly isn’t the first we’ve heard of Simon’s retirement, with him previously saying: “Showbiz doesn’t hold any interest for me. None.”
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He added, to the New York Times, “It’s an act of courage to let go. I am going to see what happens if I let go. Then I’m going to see, who am I. Or am I just this person that was defined by what I did. And if that’s gone, if you have to make up yourself, who are you?”
