THERE GOES RHYMIN' SIMON

When Paul Simon announced a “farewell performance” on 7/15 at London's Hyde Park, many wondered to what extent he was saying “so long.” Today he made it official: One last tour.

“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,” he wrote on his website. “Now I know: it feels a little unsettling, a touch exhilarating, and something of a relief.”

With 20 dates in North America, Homeward Bound–The Farewell Tour starts 5/16 in Vancouver, B.C., and includes two shows at the Hollywood Bowl (5/22-23). The U.S. leg wraps at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on 6/20. Tickets go on sale Friday.

Simon has nine dates in June and July in Europe, ending with the Hyde Park gig.

Curiously it does not include any dates in or around his hometown of New York City. Could there be another central Park show in the offing?

His decision to stop touring owes partly to the death of lead guitarist Vincent N’guini in December as well as the loss of family time spent traveling. He’ll still perform here and there.

“I anticipate doing the occasional performance in a (hopefully) acoustically pristine hall, and to donate those earnings to various philanthropic organizations, particularly those whose objective is to save the planet, ecologically.

“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.”

Paul Simon Tour Dates
5/16 - Vancouver, BC, Rogers Arena
5/18 - Seattle, Key Arena
5/19 - Portland, MODA Center
5/22-23 - Los Angeles, Hollywood Bowl
5/25 - Oakland, Oracle Arena
5/27 - Las Vegas, MGM Grand Garden Arena
5/30 - Denver, Fiddler's Green
6/1 - Dallas, American Airlines Arena
6/2 - Houston, Toyota Center
6/4 - Austin, Frank Erwin Center
6/6 - Chicago, United Center
6/8 - St. Paul, Minn., Xcel Energy Center
6/10 - Detroit, DTE Energy Center
6/12 - Toronto, Air Canada Centre
6/13 - Montreal, Bell Centre
6/15 - Boston, TD Garden
6/16 - Philadelphia, Wells Fargo Center
6/19 - Greensboro, N.C., Greensboro Coliseum
6/20 - Nashville, Bridgestone Arena