Music legend Paul Simon, 83, has successfully undergone back surgery this week after being plagued by severe back pain, forcing him to cancel two performances.
The beloved musician had been battling chronic pain for some time, which led to him canceling his June 27 and 28 shows in Philadelphia.
Successful Surgery and Postponed Concert
Simon was set to perform on Monday, July 7, at The Terrace Theater in Long Beach, California, but due to the need for additional rest following his surgery, the concert has been rescheduled to Tuesday, July 8.
In an update shared with PEOPLE and on his social media, Simon’s team confirmed that the surgery went as planned and that he required one more day of recovery to ensure he could perform at his best.
“Thanks to a great team of doctors, the surgery went well, as expected,” the statement read. “However, it has become clear he will need one additional day of rest and recuperation to ensure he is able to perform at the top of his ability in Long Beach.”
The rescheduled show will be at the same venue, and all tickets will be honored for the new date. For those unable to attend the rescheduled performance, refunds will be made available.
“We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but Paul is looking forward to seeing everyone in Long Beach on Tuesday,” the statement added.
Why Did Simon Cancel the Shows?
Simon had been struggling with chronic and intense back pain for some time, and on June 28, just hours before his Philadelphia performance, he announced that he could no longer continue with the show due to the unmanageable pain.
“Paul has been struggling with chronic and intense back pain,” a statement on Simon’s Instagram shared at the time. “Today it became unmanageable and demands immediate attention. Unfortunately, we have to cancel these shows at this time, as we don’t have the ability to reschedule them.”
However, Simon expressed optimism that with the minor surgical procedure scheduled shortly after, he would be able to continue the rest of his tour and make up for the canceled performances.
“We are hopeful after this minor surgical procedure…Paul will be able to complete the tour as well as look into returning to make up these dates,” the statement read.
Tour and Latest Album
Despite his setback, Simon is determined to continue his A Quiet Celebration Tour, which he launched earlier this year. The tour, which was announced in February 2023, is scheduled to wrap up in early August. Simon’s return to touring comes after he retired from performing live in 2018 due to hearing loss.
In addition to the tour, Simon released his latest solo album, Seven Psalms, in 2023. The album marks his first new material since 2018 and his first fully original album since 2016.
Fans will have to wait one extra day to see Simon perform in Long Beach, but the good news is that his surgery was successful and he’s on the road to recovery. Simon, known for his iconic music career as part of Simon & Garfunkel and as a solo artist, is excited to return to the stage and continue his tour.
We wish Paul Simon a speedy recovery and look forward to hearing more from the legendary artist in the near future.
