Paul Simon Announces Final Dates of Farewell Tour

Iconic American singer/songwriter Paul Simon has announced the final tour dates of his illustrious career.

Simon revealed the third and final leg of his upcoming Homeward Bound farewell tour, including two final shows at Madison Square Garden in his hometown of New York City.

The tour will being in Vancouver in May. From there, Simon and his band will trek across North America, the United Kingdom, Europe and back to the United States.

The singer in February confirmed rumors that he is planning to retire from the stage this year, about a week after news broke that he had announced a "Farewell Performance" at London's Hyde Park on July 15 with James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt. 

Simon says he'll probably perform occasionally in retirement, but he's just about done with touring.

"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," Simon said in a statement released via his website at the time. "Now I know: it feels a little unsettling, a touch exhilarating, and something of a relief."

Simon assured his fans that he's not losing his physical ability to perform—he can still sing and play—but his ambition to travel is waning, especially since the death of his longtime lead guitarist Vincent N'guini, who passed away in December.  

"I love making music, my voice is still strong, and my band is a tight, extraordinary group of gifted musicians," Simon said. "I think about music constantly."

But N'guini's death put things into perspective, he said. 

"His loss is not the only reason I’ve decided to stop touring, but it is a contributing factor. Mostly, though, I feel the travel and time away from my wife and family takes a toll that detracts from the joy of playing. 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."

"Once again, 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," he concluded.

See Simon's North American tour dates below. Get more information here.

Paul Simon North American Farewell Tour

MAY 16, 2018 —Vancouver, BC; Rogers Arena

MAY 18, 2018 — Seattle, WA; Key Arena

MAY 19, 2018 — Portland, OR; MODA Center

MAY 22, 2018 — Los Angeles, CA; Hollywood Bowl

MAY 23, 2018 — Los Angeles, CA; Hollywood Bowl

MAY 25, 2018 — Oakland, CA; Oracle Arena

MAY 27, 2018 — Las Vegas, NV; MGM Grand Garden Arena

MAY 30, 2018 — Denver, CO; Fiddler's Green

JUNE 01, 2018 — Dallas, TX;  American Airlines Arena

JUNE 02, 2018 — Houston, TX; Toyota Center

JUNE 04, 2018 — Austin, TX; Frank Erwin Center

JUNE 06, 2018 — Chicago, IL; United Center

JUNE 08, 2018 — St. Paul, MN; Xcel Energy Center

JUNE 10, 2018 — Detroit, MI; DTE Energy Center

JUNE 12, 2018 — Toronto, ON; Air Canada Centre

JUNE 13, 2018 — Montreal, QC; Bell Centre

JUNE 15, 2018 — Boston, MA; TD Garden

JUNE 16, 2018 — Philadelphia, PA; Wells Fargo Center

JUNE 19, 2018 — Greensboro, NC; Greensboro Coliseum

JUNE 20, 2018 — Nashville, TN; Bridgestone Arena

SEPTEMBER 05, 2018 — New Orleans, LA; Smoothie King Center

SEPTEMBER 07, 2018 — Tampa, FL; Amalie Center

SEPTEMBER 08, 2018 — Ft. Lauderdale, FL; BB&T Center

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 — Orlando, FL; Amway Center

SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 — Atlanta, GA; Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood

SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 — Washington, DC; Capital One Arena (ON SALE SOON)

SEPTEMBER 15, 2018 — Newark, NJ; Prudential Center

SEPTEMBER 17, 2018 — Pittsburgh, PA; PPG Paints Arena 

SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 — New York, NY; Madison Square Garden

SEPTEMBER 21, 2018 — New York, NY; Madison Square Garden

SEPTEMBER 22, 2018 — New York, NY; TBA (ON SALE SOON)

Photo: Getty Images