Legendary Folk Rocker, 84, Announces 2026 Tour 8 Years After 'Retirement'
- - Legendary Folk Rocker, 84, Announces 2026 Tour 8 Years After 'Retirement'
Jacqueline Burt CoteFebruary 4, 2026 at 2:00 AM
0
Photo by Richard E. Aaron on Getty Images
While fans were devastated when Paul Simon announced his retirement in 2018, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer didn't stop touring after all. He hit the road again in 2025 with his "A Quiet Celebration" tour...and he just announced the celebration is continuing this summer.
According to an Instagram post on Simon's official account, the iconic musician is launching a 20-date tour of North America which will kick off on June 4, 2026 in Palo Alto, California, and go on to make stops in cities including Los Angeles, Toronto, Philadelphia and Atlanta before wrapping up on July 18 in Highland Park, Illinois.
As Consequence reported, the shows on Simon's upcoming jaunt will be divided into two parts, with the first set featuring his latest album Seven Psalms, and the second focusing on hits and favorites from his lengthy career.
View this post on Instagram
Commenters on the tour announcement post were thrilled to hear the news.
"Of all the musicians I’ve ever photographed and all of the concerts I’ve ever been to, Paul Simon has been the one I’ve dreamed of seeing," wrote one California-based fan, adding, "I can’t believe you’re coming to our beautiful San Diego venue. I pray for a healthy tour for your crew, great San Diego weather and a peaceful experience for everyone."
"Beautiful man that helped shape rock n roll," declared someone else, as another fan begged, "Please come to Phoenix!"
Why did Paul Simon retire?
While Simon has struggled with hearing loss in recent years, when he announced his "retirement" in 2018, he cited a desire to spend more time with his family as a primary reason.
“I feel the travel and time away from my wife and family takes a toll that detracts from the joy of playing," he said in a statement at the time, per The Independent.
"I’d like to leave with a big thank you to the many folks around the world who’ve come out to watch me play over the last 50 years," he continued. "After this coming tour, I anticipate doing the occasional performance in a (hopefully) acoustically pristine hall, and to donate those earnings to various philanthropic organizations, particularly those whose objective is to save the planet, ecologically...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.”
Thankfully, audiences will get another chance to hear that music live again this summer. Tickets for Simon's 2026 tour go on sale Friday, Feb. 6.
Related: Beloved Folk Icon, 84, Brings Audiences to Tears in Stunning Performance: 'Love This Song'
This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
