Paul Simon says his upcoming tour will be his last

“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,” the beloved Jewish songwriter said in a statement Monday.

Paul Simon performing at the NYU Skirball Center in New York City, Sept. 22, 2016. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Global Citizen)

Simon, 76, noted that the death of his longtime guitarist Vincent N’guini last year contributed to his decision, along with the amount of time he spends away from his family during a tour. His upcoming “Homeward Bound” tour, which will span nearly 30 dates across the U.S. and Europe this year, will be his last.

The singer had hinted at retiring from touring two years ago, saying that “Showbiz doesn’t hold any interest” for him.

Simon grew up the son of Jewish parents in Queens, New York, and rose to fame alongside his singing partner and fellow Jewish New Yorker Art Garfunkel in the 1960s. The original name of the duo was Tom and Jerry, named after the famous cartoon characters, because the two wanted to hide their ethnic backgrounds. They had a moderate hit titled “Hey Schoolgirl” that climbed to #49 on the Hot 100 Billboard chart in 1957.  

Simon and Garfunkel first appeared in New Orleans in 1967 at the Loyola Field House in an evening produced by S&S Productions.