Paul Simon Announces Retirement, Then Unretires

Legendary singer-songwriter goes on farewell tour, then returns to the stage years later.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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On February 5, 2018, legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon announced his retirement from touring after more than 60 years in the music industry. However, his retirement was short-lived, as he returned to performing live in 2019 and launched a new tour in 2025 to support his latest album.

Why it matters

Paul Simon's career spanned over six decades, during which he produced numerous hit songs and albums as a solo artist and with his former duo Simon & Garfunkel. His initial retirement announcement was seen as the end of an era, but his subsequent return to the stage shows his continued passion for music and performing live.

The details

In 2018, Simon cited time away from his family and the death of his longtime guitarist Vincent Nguini as reasons for his decision to retire from touring. However, he did not give up the stage entirely, launching a farewell tour called Homeward Bound in May 2018 that took him across North America and Europe. The tour wrapped in his hometown of Queens, New York. While Simon said he was retiring from touring, he left open the possibility of performing live again in the future. True to his word, he headlined the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco in August 2019. In April 2025, Simon launched a new tour called A Quiet Celebration, in which he performed songs from his 2023 album Seven Psalms as well as rearranged versions of his classic hits.

  • On February 5, 2018, Paul Simon announced his retirement from touring.
  • In May 2018, Simon launched his Homeward Bound farewell tour.
  • In August 2019, Simon headlined the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco.
  • In April 2025, Simon launched the A Quiet Celebration Tour.
  • The new North American leg of the A Quiet Celebration Tour kicks off on June 4, 2025 in Palo Alto, California.

The players

Paul Simon

A legendary singer-songwriter who rose to fame as one half of the duo Simon & Garfunkel and went on to have a successful solo career spanning over six decades.

Vincent Nguini

Paul Simon's longtime guitarist who passed away, contributing to Simon's decision to retire from touring in 2018.

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What they’re saying

“While the show marked the end of Simon's final tour, he said he wasn't quitting the stage and suggested he could perform live again.”

— Paul Simon (ktlo.com)

What’s next

Simon has announced a new North American leg of the A Quiet Celebration Tour, kicking off on June 4, 2025 in Palo Alto, California.

The takeaway

Paul Simon's career has been marked by his ability to evolve and adapt, from his early days with Simon & Garfunkel to his successful solo work. Even after announcing his retirement from touring, his passion for music and performing live ultimately led him to return to the stage, showing his enduring impact on the music industry.