Paul Simon, 83, abruptly cancels concerts due to ‘chronic and intense back pain'
Still achy after all these years.
Music legend Paul Simon was forced to cancel two concerts at the last minute this weekend due to 'chronic and intense back pain.'
The 'You Can Call Me Al' singer, 83, was scheduled to perform at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, June 29.
Advertisement
7 Paul Simon was forced to cancel two concerts at the last minute this weekend due to 'chronic and intense back pain.'
Rick Davis / SplashNews.com
7 Simon was scheduled to perform at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday.
CBS via Getty Images
Simon took to Instagram shortly before the Saturday show's scheduled start to announce that both concerts had 'regretfully' been canceled because of his startling injury.
Advertisement
'Regretfully, Paul Simon must cancel two shows tonight June 28 and tomorrow night June 29 – at Philadelphia's Academy of Music,' the statement began.
'Paul has been struggling with chronic and intense back pain,' it said. 'Today it became unmanageable and demands immediate attention.'
7 Simon took to Instagram shortly before Saturday's show would have kicked off to announce that both concerts had 'regretfully' been canceled because of his injury.
Paul Simon/Instagram
Simon also revealed that he is scheduled to undergo a 'minor surgical procedure' to fix his back pain and hoped to 'complete the tour' after the surgery.
Advertisement
'Unfortunately we have to cancel these shows at this time, as we don't have the ability to reschedule them,' the statement continued. 'However, we are hopeful after this minor surgical procedure which has been scheduled in the next few days, Paul will be able to complete the tour as well as look into returning to make up these dates.'
Ticket holders for both shows were offered a 'full refund.'
7 Simon also revealed that he is scheduled to undergo a 'minor surgical procedure' to fix his 'unmanageable' back pain.
AFP via Getty Images
The 'Still Crazy After All These Years' musician's announcement came just two days after he performed at the Academy of Music on Thursday, June 26.
Advertisement
The Post has reached out to Simon's rep for comment.
Meanwhile, fans rushed to social media to wish Simon well amid his sudden and worrying injury.
7 Fans rushed to social media to wish Simon well amid his injury.
CBS via Getty Images
'Heal well Paul!' one person commented alongside the announcement.
'Rest good and heal up, Mr Simon,' another fan wrote. 'We need you healthy.'
'Just landed in Philadelphia from Scotland for the concert, gutted!' a third disappointed fan said. 'Hope it's nothing serious, get well soon.'
'Feel better soon, the songs are great!' a fourth added.
7 'Rest good and heal up, Mr Simon,' one fan wrote. 'We need you healthy.'
CBS via Getty Images
Advertisement
The artist announced his current 'A Quiet Celebrations Tour' back in February shortly after performing 'Homeward Bound' alongside Sabrina Carpenter during the 'Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special.'
Simon's decision to launch a new tour came as a surprise, especially because the crooner had seemingly retired from the road in 2018 due to hearing loss.
Besides performing tunes from his 2023 LP 'Seven Psalms,' Simon has played songs from both his decades-long solo career and his time as one-half of Simon & Garfunkel.
7 The 'Graceland' singer announced his current 'A Quiet Celebrations Tour' back in February.
Getty Images for PEN America
Advertisement
Edie Brickell, Simon's wife of 33 years, has also performed with the legendary hitmaker during the recent gigs.
'I'm going through my repertoire and reducing a lot of the choices that I make to acoustic versions,' he told 'CBS Mornings' earlier this year regarding the tour and his hearing loss. 'It's all much quieter.'
Simon's next concert date is currently scheduled for July 7 in Long Beach, Calif. The tour is set to conclude in Seattle, Wash., on Aug. 3.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
23 minutes ago
- New York Post
New baby shower trend avoids ‘I hate people watching me open gifts' awkwardness
In news that might make you want to do a little happy dance, expectant moms are changing up their approaches to gifts at baby showers. 'Display Showers' are growing in popularity; where hosts encourage guests to bring their presents unwrapped, with simply a tag identifying who it's from. The gifts are then 'displayed' in an arrangement where people can still see and talk about the products, but aren't held hostage to an hour of unwrapping, and pretend oohing over every item. What is a 'Display Shower'? Babylist, a registry site for parents-to-be, recently surveyed users to understand what's driving the trend. According to their research, skipping the public present opening takes the pressure off the mom-to-be, and gives guests more time to enjoy each other's company. 'I am pretty introverted and feel awkward opening so many gifts in front of everyone, but I know some people really love seeing all the baby stuff, so I thought this was a perfect way to please everyone,' a pregnant woman told the site. Additionally, many parents shared they valued decreasing waste, and the costs associated with wrapping. 3 The gifts are then 'displayed' in an arrangement where people can still see and talk about the products. pressmaster – Respondents' main tip when it came to hosting a Display Shower? Be super clear on the invitation about naming gifts, but keep track of who brought what, in case anyone didn't quite understand. According to the survey, most moms found that the Display Shower was embraced by others, but a few encountered some resistance. 'All of the pushback was from older generations. I just explained why I was doing it and sometimes had to simply say because I didn't want to,' one commented. 'Nice to not sit through an hour of gift unwrapping' 3 According to the survey, most moms found that the Display Shower was embraced by others, but a few encountered some resistance. Pixel-Shot – In parenting groups on social media, we found that most are big fans of the display shower and recommend others follow suit. 'I went to one of these recently and it was actually really nice not having to sit through two hours of gift opening,' read one comment for example. Another mom, who had recently hosted a Display Shower, shared the wording on her invitations: 3 'I went to one of these recently and it was actually really nice not having to sit through two hours of gift opening,' read one comment. Getty Images/iStockphoto 'Please bring your gift without paper or bag, a bow is enough, along with this gift tag. Unwrapped presents are just as sweet, plus it gives us more time to mingle and eat. 'We'll display your gifts for all to see, and enjoy celebrating the mommy-to-be!' Some did suggest that the name – Display Shower – could come across strangely, so opted for something different like 'no-wrap shower.'
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Paul Simon cancels concerts, set to undergo 'minor' surgery
Paul Simon was forced to cancel a string of concerts Saturday after suffering an injury. The "You Can Call Me Al" singer has been "struggling with chronic and intense back pain," which forced the cancellation of shows on the East Coast. Simon, 83, will undergo minor surgery in the "next few days," according to a post shared on his Instagram account. "Regretfully, Paul Simon must cancel two shows tonight June 28 and tomorrow night June 29 – at Philadelphia's Academy of Music," Simon shared online. "Paul has been struggling with chronic and intense back pain. Today it became unmanageable and demands immediate attention." The statement continued, "Unfortunately we have to cancel these shows at this time, as we don't have the ability to reschedule them. However, we are hopeful after this minor surgical procedure which has been scheduled in the next few days, Paul will be able to complete the tour as well as look into returning to make up these dates." It's unclear when Simon will reschedule the concerts, and concertgoers were encouraged to contact their local ticket providers for a full refund. Fox News Digital contacted Simon's representative for a comment. The "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" musician announced his "A Quiet Celebrations" tour in February, to coincide with his "Seven Psalms" album. The tour kicked off in April, and was supposed to end in Seattle in August. "The evolution of this extraordinary artist continues to unfold," a press release stated at the time. "In which Simon chose to perform in intimate venues where the acoustics are optimal in consideration of the severe hearing loss that he incurred over the last few years." In May 2023, Simon realized most of the hearing in his left ear was gone while he was creating the album. "Quite suddenly I lost most of the hearing in my left ear, and nobody has an explanation for it. So, everything became more difficult," Simon told The Times. "My reaction to that was frustration and annoyance; not quite anger yet, because I thought it would pass, it would repair itself." In 2018, Simon announced he was retiring from touring. In a social media post, he wrote, "I feel the travel and time away from my wife and family takes a toll that detracts from the joy of playing," adding, it "feels a little unsettling, a touch exhilarating, and something of a relief." His wife of over 30 years, Edie Brickell, sang a duet with him in the final section of "Seven Psalms," which includes the lyrics, "Heaven is beautiful/ It's almost like home/ Children, get ready/ It's time to come home." The couple share three children: Adrian Edward, Lulu and Gabriel Elijah. Simon was previously married to the late Carrie Fisher. The couple met in the late '70s but didn't wed until August 1983. They divorced less than a year later, in July 1984.
Fox News
3 hours ago
- Fox News
Motocross Star Aidan Zingg Dies at 16 After Fatal Crash
16-year old Motocross Star Aidan Zingg dies during race, Paul Simon cancels two shows due to chronic injury, and Vittoria Ceretti suffers a wardrobe malfunction that tore up her dress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit FOX News Radio
