In a year marked by both poignant farewells and triumphant returns, the world of classic rock and folk music is experiencing a crossroads moment. Two of its most enduring icons—Queen and Paul Simon—are charting very different courses as 2025 draws to a close. While Queen, the legendary British rock band, is stepping back from the grand stage of major tours, Paul Simon is extending his comeback, announcing a new leg of his “A Quiet Celebration” tour across Europe and the UK in 2026. Fans across generations are left reflecting on the legacies of these musical giants and the realities of aging in the spotlight.
Queen’s decision to halt major touring was confirmed on December 12, 2025, when Anita Dobson, wife of guitarist Brian May, told The Mirror, “They will do little bits and bobs, but they won’t do those big tours. We are all getting old.” At 78, Brian May has faced a series of health challenges in recent years, including a minor stroke in 2024, a small heart attack in 2020, and surgery for congested arteries, as reported by Parade and The Mirror. The toll of decades on the road is undeniable, and Dobson’s candid words echo the sentiments of many artists of her and May’s generation.
Yet, the band’s drummer Roger Taylor was quick to clarify that this isn’t a curtain call for Queen. Speaking to Rolling Stone on the same day, Taylor said, “I don’t think we’re done. And I don’t think we’re going to say a final farewell tour. Because it never is, is it?” His remarks capture the tension between the desire to keep performing and the practicalities of age and health. Fans can take solace in knowing that, while the days of globe-spanning stadium tours may be over, Queen isn’t disbanding. Smaller performances—“little bits and bobs”—may still be on the horizon.
Queen’s journey is one for the ages. Formed in 1970 by Brian May and Roger Taylor, the group would soon be joined by the incomparable Freddie Mercury and bassist John Deacon. Their ascent to superstardom began with the 1975 release of A Night at the Opera, featuring the operatic rock epic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” That song alone has become a cultural touchstone, and the band’s subsequent hits—“We Will Rock You,” “We Are the Champions,” “Another One Bites the Dust”—cemented their place in music history. Over the years, Queen has sold a staggering 300 million albums worldwide and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
The band’s resilience was tested in 1991 with the death of Freddie Mercury, but Queen pressed on, first with Paul Rodgers and then Adam Lambert taking on vocal duties. Their ability to adapt, evolve, and continue thrilling audiences decades after their formation is a testament to their musicianship and enduring appeal. But as Dobson noted, time waits for no one—even rock royalty.
In contrast, Paul Simon, at 84, is defying expectations with a return to the road that few anticipated. Having initially retired in 2018 after his “Homeward Bound – The Farewell Tour” due to significant hearing loss, Simon’s comeback has been nothing short of remarkable. On December 12, 2025, Simon announced new dates for his “A Quiet Celebration” tour, which will see him performing across the United Kingdom and Europe in 2026. The tour kicks off on April 9 in Prague, Czech Republic, and includes stops in Germany, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, the UK, and Ireland. Tickets will be available starting December 17 on Ticketmaster and StubHub, with high demand expected.
Simon’s journey back to the stage has not been without its hurdles. His hearing loss, which worsened during the making of his 2023 album Seven Psalms, was a major factor in his decision to retire. “It was incredibly frustrating. I was very angry at first that this had happened,” Simon told CBS last year, expressing his apprehension about losing the ability to enjoy making music. But after making adjustments to his setlist and speaker placements, Simon was able to embark on a 55-stop North American tour in April 2025, beginning in New Orleans and concluding in Seattle by August. Although he had to cancel a few shows midway to undergo back surgery, his resilience and adaptability have inspired both fans and fellow musicians.
Simon’s influence on music is profound. Rising to fame as one half of Simon & Garfunkel alongside Art Garfunkel, he helped define the sound of a generation with classics like “The Sound of Silence,” “Mrs. Robinson,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” As a solo artist, Simon produced hits such as “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” “Kodachrome,” “Still Crazy All These Years,” and “Slip Slidin’ Away.” He is a 16-time Grammy winner and a two-time inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—once with Simon & Garfunkel in 1990, and again as a solo artist.
The upcoming European leg of “A Quiet Celebration” marks Simon’s first performances in countries like England, Germany, Denmark, and Belgium in nearly a decade. The tour itinerary includes two nights in Prague (April 9-10, 12), Berlin (April 15-16), Copenhagen (April 18-19), Amsterdam (April 22-25), Brussels (April 27-30), Paris (May 3-4), Liverpool (May 7), Glasgow (May 9-10), London (May 13-14), and Dublin (May 20). For fans who missed his North American shows, this may be a final opportunity to see the legendary songwriter perform live.
Simon’s ability to adapt his performances for his hearing loss—altering speaker placements and song selections—demonstrates the evolving nature of live music in the face of physical limitations. His story is a reminder that passion and creativity often find a way, even when the odds seem daunting.
Meanwhile, Queen’s decision to step back from major touring is a bittersweet milestone for a band that has spent more than five decades thrilling audiences worldwide. The physical demands of touring have caught up with its members, but their music remains as vital as ever. The band’s legacy, built on innovation, showmanship, and unforgettable songs, continues to inspire new generations of fans.
As 2025 gives way to 2026, the music world finds itself in a moment of reflection. On one hand, there’s the reality that even the mightiest acts must eventually slow down. On the other, there’s the hope and excitement that comes from seeing a beloved artist like Paul Simon return to the stage, undeterred by adversity. For fans of Queen and Simon alike, these stories are a poignant reminder of music’s power to endure—and the human spirit’s capacity to adapt, persist, and inspire.
