Paul Simon recently had to cancel several upcoming concerts due to severe back pain. The 83-year-old musician shared that he has been dealing with chronic issues and that, regrettably, the situation has escalated to the point where he needs surgery in the next few days.
In an Instagram post, Simon announced the cancellation of his shows at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, scheduled for June 28th and 29th. He noted, “Unfortunately, we need to cancel these shows… However, after this minor surgical procedure, Paul can complete the tour and consider returns to compensate for these dates.”
While ticket holders were advised to reach out to their local ticket providers for refunds, it’s uncertain if Simon will be able to reschedule the concerts.
Earlier this year, Simon unveiled his “Quiet Celebration” tour, tied to his “Seven Psalms” album. This tour was meant to kick off in April and wrap up in Seattle by August. He has taken measures to adjust his performances due to significant hearing loss experienced over the past few years. In fact, in May 2023, Simon revealed that he had lost most of the hearing in his left ear, which he described as frustrating and somewhat alarming.
This isn’t the first time Simon has taken a step back from touring; in 2018, he announced his retirement from the road, citing the importance of family time over the demands of travel. Simon has been married to musician Edie Brickell for over three decades, and they have three children together.
He previously had a brief marriage to actress Carrie Fisher in the early ’80s, but they divorced less than a year later.
