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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'
Otago Daily Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Operatunity to celebrate male musical ensembles
Operatunity artists (from left) Russell Dixon, Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua, and Matt Pike will perform hit songs by male musical ensembles in the show It's Raining Men, coming to Mosgiel next week. Photo: supplied Touring opera company Operatunity will celebrate iconic male musical ensembles in its latest show, It's Raining Men, in Mosgiel on Tuesday. The production, which will visit 24 centres across New Zealand this month and next, celebrates the legendary ensembles of music history, as well as a journey through some of the greatest songs ever written. The show, which will feature music from Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, The Beatles, Everly Brothers, Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, Queen, The Platters and more, will be staged at the Mosgiel Coronation Hall from 11am on June 24. The cast will feature three long-standing Operatunity singers — Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua, Russell Dixon and Matt Pike, along with newcomer David Tuitama. They will be accompanied for the performance by a band comprising Mike Booth (trumpet), Pete France (saxophone), Grant Winterburn (piano) and Jessica Hix (drums). Audience members will hear hit songs including It's Raining Men, Uptown Girl, Bridge over Troubled Water, Bohemian Rhapsody, After the Lovin', YMCA, My Girl, Let it Be, Build me up Buttercup, and O What a Night! For information and bookings, visit
