Paul Simon has been forced to pump the brakes on his current tour – at least for now. The 83-year-old folk-rock icon canceled two shows in Philadelphia over the weekend due to severe back pain that suddenly worsened. Simon had been slated to perform at Philly’s Academy of Music on June 28 and 29 as part of his A Quiet Celebration tour, but hours before showtime, his team alerted fans that Simon’s chronic back issues had become “unmanageable” and required immediate attention.
“Paul has been struggling with chronic and intense back pain. Today it became unmanageable and demands immediate attention,” read an Instagram statement from Simon’s camp, apologizing to ticket holders for the last-minute cancellation. “Unfortunately we have to cancel these shows at this time, as we don’t have the ability to reschedule them,” the statement continued. Simon will undergo a “minor surgical procedure” in the coming days to alleviate the problem, with doctors optimistic about his recovery. “We are hopeful after this minor procedure… Paul will be able to complete the tour as well as look into returning to make up these dates,” the message added.
Despite this setback, Simon plans to press on with the remainder of his tour once healed. The Grammy winner – who also copes with significant hearing loss – had only recently returned to performing in 2025 after a hiatus. His upcoming West Coast dates in Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and Seattle are still on the schedule for later this summer. Fans across the country are wishing the Bridge Over Troubled Water singer a speedy recovery, heartened by the news that Simon’s procedure is minor and his spirits remain high about getting back on stage.
