Latest news with #SevenPsalms
Fox News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- 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.
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Beloved singer, 83, cancels concerts after suffering 'chronic and intense pain'
A beloved singer has been forced to cancel shows after facing 'unimaginable' pain that 'demanded immediate attention'. Paul Simon rose to fame in the 1960s as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel alongside school friend Art Garkfunkel. After gaining a legion of fans releasing songs like The Sound of Silence and Bridge over Troubled Water, the American singer- songwriter went on to pursue a career as a solo artist in the 1970s. Throughout his career, Paul has won 16 Grammy Awards and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, realising his most recent album Seven Psalms in 2023. In April he kicked off his A Quiet Celebration Tour, which began in New Orleans and will travel throughout North America and Canada before ending in Seattle in August. However, this weekend he had to pull the plug on two performances just a few hours in advance due to ongoing health issues. Posting a statement online, his team explained that the 83-year-old could no longer play his scheduled shows at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. 'Paul has been struggling with chronic and intense back pain,' it began. 'Today it became unmanageable and demands immediate attention. 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. 'In the meantime, please go to your point of purchase or local ticket provider for a full refund.' Paul is next set to play at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center's Terrace Theater in Long Beach, California on July 7. His tour features the live debut of his Grammy-nominated album, Seven Psalms, along with a 'celebration of his timeless classics'. However when it was announced earlier this year, it was explained that he'd chosen 'intimate venues with optimal acoustics for this tour' as he had been dealing with 'severe hearing loss'. The musician had previously announced his retirement from touring in 2018 due to hearing loss. At the time he explained: '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. 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.' More Trending Last year he explained he's now lost 94% of hearing in his left ear and has been told by doctors that there is no cure, which has also left him unable to play certain songs from his catalogue, including his 1986 hit You Can Call Me Al. 'I'm going through my repertoire and reducing a lot of the choices that I make to acoustic versions,' he said on CBS Mornings. 'It's all much quieter. It's not You Can Call Me Al, that's gone. I can't do that one.' 'I guess what I'm most apprehensive about would be if I can't hear well enough to really enjoy the act of making music.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Iconic star, 99, sparks concern after dropping out of event due to illness MORE: John Travolta reprises iconic Grease role 46 years after the original MORE: Who's who at Jeff Bezos's $10,000,000 wedding as A-list guests 'descend on Venice'
UPI
a day ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
'Chronic' back pain forces Paul Simon to cancel weekend concerts
Paul Simon, 83, canceled his weekend concerts in Philadelphia because he is suffering from "chronic and intense" back pain and needs surgery to treat it. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo June 29 (UPI) -- Famed singer-songwriter Paul Simon has announced he had to cancel his planned Saturday and Sunday concerts in Philadelphia because his "chronic and intense" back pain had become "unmanageable." "Unfortunately, we have to cancel these shows at this time, as we don't have the ability to reschedule them," the 83-year-old music legend's official Instagram account said Saturday. "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." Simon officially retired from touring due to hearing loss in 2018, but he returned and kicked off another 20-city tour in February to promote his 2023 album, Seven Psalms.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Paul Simon Concludes N.Y.C. Residency For His ‘A Quiet Celebration' Tour
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and musical guest Paul Simon during Thursday's June 19, 2025 ... More show. (Photo by Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images) When he sang the lyric from the classic Simon and Garfunkel song 'The Boxer' — 'But the fighter still remains' — at Beacon Theatre earlier this week, Paul Simon received a round of cheers and applause. It was a poignant moment among many that occurred during that concert, a symbolic reference to Simon's career now spanning eight decades as he continues to honor his legacy and find new musical inspiration. Monday's show was the final of a series of five hometown concerts at the New York City venue as part of the singer-songwriter's current tour A Quiet Celebration. At first, it seemed like Simon, 83, was done with performing after a farewell tour in 2018 as well as having experienced major hearing loss over the years. But he hasn't retired from making new music as demonstrated by his most recent album, 2023's predominantly acousitc Seven Psalms, which was intended as a single continuous 33-minute piece with different sections. According to a news release announcing the tour, Simon was inspired to play live again amid a desire to present Seven Psalms on stage. Accompanied by a large cast of talented musicians, Simon began the evening performing Seven Psalms in its entirety without interruption. As referenced by its title, the exquisite piece was predominantly spiritual in nature and hinted at a variety of genres, from folk ('The Lord' and 'Love Is Like a Braid') to blues ('Your Professional Opinion') to European classicism ('Your Forgiveness') to South American influences ('Trail of Volcanoes'). Singer and Simon's wife Edie Brickell provided vocal accompaniment on the piece's final two sections 'The Sacred Harp' and 'Wait.' The rest of the show covered Simon's best-known songs and some deep cuts from his catalog. Similar in the way Simon presented Seven Psalms earlier in the evening, the performances for this second half of the show had an intimate, warm and unplugged feel to it and yet also felt electric and vibrant. Among some of the notable examples included the chugging 'Graceland'; the soulful 'Train in the Distance'; the sublime 'St. Judy's Comet'; and the mournful 'The Late Great Johnny Ace.' The crowd also harmonzied with the singer on the choruses for 'The Boxer' and '50 Ways to Leave to Leave Your Lover.' And the performance of the whimsical 'Me and Julio Down by the School Yard' (with Brickell providing the whistling solo) generated a standing ovation. As for his singing, Simon still delivered in his distinct wistful voice that now sounded a bit more softer, which suited to the intimate presentation of the material. The supporting musicians were also superb, with each of them given a solo spotlight over the course of the evening. For the final song of the two-hour-plus sbow, Simon fittingly performed by himself on acoustic guitar 'The Sound of Silence,' the hit with his former musical partner Art Garfunkel that started it all 60 years ago. It was a moment to savor as fans probably never thought they would see him onstage again. It's not a comeback but rather an graceful new chapter in the legend's career. Paul Simon's A Quiet Celebration tour continues through Aug. Part I Seven Psalms The Lord Love Is Like a Braid My Professional Opinion Your Forgiveness Trail of Volcanoes The Sacred Harp WaitPart II Graceland Slip Slidin' Away Train in the Distance Homeward Bound The Late Great Johnny Ace St. Judy's Comet Under African Skies Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War Rewrite Spirit Voices The Cool, Cool River Me and Julio Down by the SchoolyardEncore 1: 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover The BoxerEncore 2: The Sound of Silence
New York Times
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Paul Simon at the Beacon Theater: Quiet, Intricate, Masterly
Paul Simon, 83, has simply changed his mind about a farewell to touring that he announced in 2018, with a valedictory arena tour that ended with a park concert in Queens. He had more to say and sing. He's back on the road with a relatively intimate, scaled-down postscript: his A Quiet Celebration tour. It's booked into theaters selected for their acoustics, and it's made possible by an advanced monitoring system that helps him cope with his recent severe hearing loss. Simon played to a reverently attentive audience on Monday night at his hometown sanctuary, the Beacon Theater. When the refurbished, regilded venue reopened in 2009, Simon was its first performer. And on Monday, he stepped onstage smiling broadly and announced, 'I love playing in this room.' Simon has been making poetic, tuneful pop hits — songs that found mass audiences with lapidary craftsmanship and terse, enigmatic insights — since the 1960s. He had less commercial success with larger formats: his 1980 movie about a songwriter, 'One-Trick Pony,' and his 1998 musical, 'The Capeman.' But he has still been thinking bigger than individual songs. In 2023, Simon released 'Seven Psalms,' a continuous 33-minute suite of songs about the brevity, fragility and preciousness of life — 'Two billion heartbeats and out / Or does it all begin again?' — and the unknowability of God. 'The Lord is a meal for the poorest of the poor,' he sang, but also, 'The Lord is the ocean rising / The Lord is a terrible swift sword.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
