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Paul Simon Will Play His Final Show Ever At Flushing Meadows Corona Park In Queens
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 20, 2018
Modified Jun 21, 2018
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Lester Cohen
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 20, 2018
Modified Jun 21, 2018
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After over six decades of performing around the world, Paul Simon is currently embarking on what he says is his farewell tour. And he announced today that the final concert of the tour—his final show ever, in theory—will take place in Queens in September.
"Paul Simon's Homeward Bound — The Farewell Performance" will happen Saturday September 22nd at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It is the first major concert event to take place there in decades; events like Panorama and Governors Ball have unsuccessfully tried to get permits to take place there in recent years.
"It seems more like fate than coincidence that I should do the final show on this final tour at Flushing Meadows Corona Park," Simon said in a press release about the show. "I could have ridden my bike from home to the park in about 20 minutes, when I was a kid. But this is less a goodbye than a farewell. Thank you all for the ride, I had a great time."
"When Paul Simon sings 'Homeward Bound,' there's no doubt he means New York," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "The grit, beauty and complexity of this city are woven into Simon's most haunting songs, and our greatest venues have formed the backdrop of his performing career. It's only fitting that this son of Queens comes home to Flushing Meadows Corona Park."
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz said she believes the historic show should be free for all:
Queens adores the fact that Paul Simon has chosen to come home for the final concert of his Farewell Tour. As a lifelong fan, I am absolutely thrilled. The news, however, is bittersweet. The City of New York could have - and should have - turned this long-anticipated homecoming of Paul Simon into a free concert for all in the park, not limited to those who can afford to pay concert ticket prices at the expense of the surrounding community. There are still several days before tickets go on sale. In fairness to all New Yorkers, the City should figure out a way to make this historic performance free and accessible to everyone.
Tickets for the farewell show will go on sale beginning Friday, June 29th at 10 a.m. here. American Express Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Monday, June 25th at 10 a.m. through Thursday, June 28th at 10 p.m.
A graduate of Forest Hills High School, Simon announced in 2016 that he was planning on retiring from performing. In a NY Times piece about the decision, he sounded world-weary and showbiz-weary in equal measure, especially when he discussed how he often needs 15 hours of sleep at a stretch, or that he mistakes big white tents for mountains. He sounded tired of needing to rest his voice for days between shows, tired of fame (“I’ve seen fame turn into absolute poison when I was a kid in the ’60s”) and mostly tired of being tired all the time.
Gothamist caught him at Forest Hills Stadium in 2016 as well. You can see video from that below.
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Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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