Paul Simon's Final Concert (Not!)

Six years after his final bow, he's on the road again

We’re all suckers for farewell tours: The Who made a punchline and a career out of farewell tours that went on for decades! Willie Nelson, who will be 92 at the end of this month, is going out on the road again and has not announced a farewell tour. From Frank Sinatra to Bob Dylan, to Mick and Keith, the octogenarian Rolling Stones, few leave the road for keeps, even if they say they will. Those who do quit touring do so for health reasons, or possibly death, though in the age of AI and holograms and replaceable players to keep brands alive, tours beyond the grave are not impossible. (I think the Dead is probably dead, but I could be wrong.) I don’t think artists “retire” only to return after milking money from a “final tour” do this for the money. They don’t know what to do with themselves. They are bored and restless, and nothing soothes this restlessness like the applause of a crowd. So Paul Simon, after a very definitive final concert on Sept. 22, 2018, in his home borough of Quee…