Renowned musician Paul Simon has made the difficult decision to cancel two of his highly anticipated shows this weekend in Philadelphia, citing “intense back pain” as the primary reason for this unfortunate change in plans. The singer-songwriter, known for his impactful contributions to the music industry, expressed his disappointment through an official statement, expressing hope for a swift recovery that would allow him to return to the stage for future performances.

In his announcement, Simon stated, “Regretfully, Paul Simon must cancel two shows tonight, June 28, and tomorrow night, June 29, at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music. Paul has been grappling with chronic and intense back pain. Today, the discomfort escalated to a level that was unmanageable and requires immediate medical attention. Regrettably, we must cancel these performances at this time, as rescheduling is not feasible. Nonetheless, we are optimistic that following an upcoming minor surgical procedure scheduled in the next few days, Paul will be able to resume the tour and potentially make up these missed dates.”

Simon successfully completed the first of three planned performances in Philadelphia on Thursday night. In 2023, he disclosed that he had experienced a significant loss of hearing in one ear, which has posed challenges for him in delivering live performances comfortably. This struggle highlights the resilience and dedication that Simon has shown throughout his career, even in the face of personal health challenges.

In April, he kicked off the Quiet Celebration tour, featuring a series of performances at intimate venues designed to connect closely with fans. The initial segment of the show is dedicated to a full-album performance of his latest work, the meditative album Seven Psalms, released in 2023. Following this, audiences are treated to a carefully curated selection of solo hits and classic tracks from his time with Simon & Garfunkel, as well as rare gems from his extensive catalog.

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Looking ahead, Simon’s next scheduled performance is on Monday, July 7, in Long Beach, California. His current tour itinerary includes 15 remaining dates, with exciting highlights such as a five-night engagement in Los Angeles and three consecutive nights in Seattle on July 31, August 2, and August 3, promising fans an unforgettable musical experience.