Paul Simon cancels two shows to undergo immediate surgery amid “chronic and intense” injury
Paul Simon has been forced to cancel two of his upcoming shows at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music, due to “chronic and intense back pain”.
“Regretfully, Paul Simon must cancel two shows tonight June 28 and tomorrow night June 29 – at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music,” his statement on social media begins. “Paul has been struggling with chronic and intense back pain. Today it became unmanageable and demands immediate attention.”
The statement continues, “Unfortunately we have to cancel these shows at this time, as we don’t have the ability to reschedule them.”
Nonetheless, his team are hopeful that the musician can turn things around quickly. “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.”
Last year, the Simon and Garfunkel songwriter shared a different health update, revealing he had sudden hearing loss problems. The musician revealed that he had lost most of his hearing in his left ear “quite suddenly”, stating that “nobody has an explanation for it”.
In September 2024, he admitted that he was not confident in his ability to play live again. He talked about his usual process of taking new records out on tour after they reach completion, before admitting, “I’m not sure how I can integrate my voice with the guitars.”
Despite that, in October he seemed optimistic again, telling The Guardian, “I’m hoping to eventually be able to do a full-length concert. I’m optimistic. Six months ago I was pessimistic.”
Simon is currently on his ‘A Quiet Celebration Tour’, during which he has played the entirety of his 2013 LP Seven Psalms. The tour is currently scheduled to resume at Terrace Theatre in Long Beach, California, on July 7th. It will end on August 3rd in Seattle, in Benaroya Hall.
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