Farewell Artists Last Stop in St. Louis

As popular artists age, the announcement of “farewell tours” seems almost inevitable. Most artists choose the most popular cities to visit for their last tour ever. In country artist Shania Twain’s case, her farewell tour ended up not being her final one. Twain visited St. Louis in early May for another concert tour. What are your thoughts on farewell artists? Check out this article for a list of “farewell” artists!

Shania Twain

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For many of today’s veteran performers, a farewell tour doesn’t actually mean goodbye.

Often, the tours are marketing gimmicks. They’ve been successful for big-name acts such as Cher, whose many retirements from the road epitomize the farewell fake-out. (“I can’t do another one because I’ll be dead,” the 68-year-old Cher joked at her 2014 stop in St. Louis. “I’m really not coming back this time, I swear to God.”)

Shania Twain, who comes to Enterprise (formerly Scottrade) Center on Wednesday, could fall in line with Cher if she isn’t careful. The Canadian country-pop singer in 2015 talked up the fact that her “Rock This Country” tour would be her farewell.

At the time, she was significantly younger than most performers who call it quits. She said then that her retirement would be from touring and not from making music.

“I love music so much. But the performance side of it I feel is a phase in my life,” she said at the time in a Q&A with reporters. “I’ve been doing it for so long. I’ll be 50 this year (she’s 52 now) and been onstage since I was 8 years old, and I’ve put my fair share into performance. The timing is right to do other things musically.”

The “You’re Still the One” singer said she missed making records and needed to get back to that. Her last album at the time was “Up!” (2002).

“If I’m distracted by all facets of the tour, how much music am I really going to be able to write, and how many albums am I going to be able to make? I can’t do them both at the same time.”

Apparently, Twain figured out how to do both, releasing her “Now” album in 2017 and deciding she wasn’t finished with the road after all. Twain’s reps declined an interview request for this story.

What Shania Twain, Bastian Baker • When 8 p.m. Wednesday • Where Enterprise (formerly Scottrade) Center, 1401 Clark Avenue • How much $22-$395 • More info 1-800-745-3000; ticketmaster.com

Elton John

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If there’s one farewell tour that needs to stick, it’s Elton John’s. His “Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour” is making lots of noise, instantly selling out several dozens of dates. John will be on the road with this tour for three years, with more than 300 shows on five continents. “It’s time to come off the road so I can fully embrace the next important chapter of my life,” John, 71, said in a statement. “Performing live fuels me, and I’m ecstatic and humbled to continue to play to audiences across the globe. I plan to bring the passion and creativity that has entertained my fans for decades to my final tour.”

When 8 p.m. Oct. 30 • Where Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Avenue • How much $46.50-$221.50 • More info 1-800-745-3000; ticketmaster.com

Anita Baker

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The R&B songstress (“Caught Up in the Rapture,” “Sweet Love,” “You Bring Me Joy”) announced last year that she had retired. The following year, she returned with a Farewell Concert Series, which essentially meant she had come out of retirement to perform farewell shows. Who does that? Doesn’t matter. It’s one of the soul music events of the year.

When 7:30 p.m. July 22 • Where Fox Theatre, 527 North Grand Boulevard • How much Sold out • More info 314-534-1111; metrotix.com

Slayer

The metal band, whose last album was “Repentless” (2015), is hanging it up with a final world tour that includes a second leg kicking off July 26. The band is said to be thanking fans for their support over the last 3½ decades. But signing off now just feels premature. We’ll see how this one plays out.

What Slayer, Lamb of God, Anthrax, Testament, Napalm Death • When 4:30 p.m. Aug. 9 • Where Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 14141 Riverport Drive, Maryland Heights • How much $29.50-$59.50 • More info 1-800-745-3000; livenation.com

Lynyrd Skynyrd

No one can be mad at Lynyrd Skynyrd for signing off with its “Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour.” It’s a real measure of strength that the Southern rock band — known for “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Freebird” — was able to last so long, much less weather tragedy at the height of its popularity, when three of its members were killed in a plane crash in 1977. The current lineup features Gary Rossington, Johnny Van Zandt, Rickey Medlocke, Mark “Sparky” Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Keith Christopher, Peter Keys, Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase. “It’s hard to imagine, after all these years, the band that Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins and myself started back in Jacksonville, would resonate for this long and to so many generations of fans,” said founding member Gary Rossington. “I’m certain they are looking down from above, amazed that the music has touched so many.”

What Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hank Williams Jr., .38 Special, the Steel Woods • When 6 p.m. Aug. 18 • Where Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 14141 Riverport Drive, Maryland Heights • How much $39.50-$219.50 • More info 1-800-745-3000; livenation.com

Ozzy Osbourne

We’ve definitely been here before with Ozzy Osbourne. In 1992, the Prince of Darkness embarked on his “No More Tours” tour. Now he’s saying farewell with his “No More Tours 2” tour, which will keep him on the road until 2020. He’ll be joined by Zakk Wylde (guitar), Blasko (bass), Tommy Clufetos (drums) and Adam Wakeman (keyboards). “I’ve been blessed with an amazing life,” Osbourne said in a statement. “I’m looking at this final tour as being a huge celebration for my fans and anyone who has enjoyed my music over the past five decades.” He will revisit his classics along with some of his work with Black Sabbath, which already has disbanded. The tour is not scheduled to visit St. Louis.

Paul Simon

Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon is in the early stages of bowing out with “Homeward Bound — The Farewell Tour,” capping a performance career that goes back to the early 1960s. He’ll focus on his solo output as well as his work with Simon & Garfunkel. “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,” Simon said in a statement. “Now I know: It feels a little unsettling, a touch exhilarating and something of a relief. I love making music, my voice is still strong and my band is a tight, extraordinary group of gifted musicians. I think about music constantly. I am very grateful for a fulfilling career and, of course, most of all to the audiences who heard something in my music that touched their hearts.” The tour is not scheduled to play St. Louis.

Third Day

Christian band Third Day — known for songs such as “Cry Out to Jesus,” “Mountain of God,” “Call My Name” and “I Need a Miracle” — quietly announced a farewell tour that’s currently underway. It’s not slated to play St. Louis. In addition to the hits, the group will perform songs from its members’ new projects. “We know this is a season that is coming to a close, and we wanted to give our fans one more chance to see us perform live,” lead singer Mac Powell said. “The live show has been the core fan experience, and this tour will give us an opportunity to go out and say thank you to the fans who have always been so supportive of our music.”

Vans Warped Tour

The artists on the Vans Warped tour are nowhere near retiring, though the tour itself is after 20 years. Packaged tours like this one have fallen out of favor, with fans preferring destination festivals such as Coachella, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza (which itself started as a packaged tour). This year’s lineup includes the Used, Story of the Year, Waterparks, Simple Plan, 3OH!3, Reel Big Fish, Falling in Reverse, We the Kings, Motionless in White, Assuming We Survive, Chase Atlantic, Crown the Empire, Dead Girls Academy, Deez Nuts, Doll Skin, Don Broco, Every Time I Die, Farewell Winters, Four Year Strong, Hail the Sun, Ice Nine Kills, In Hearts Wake, Knuckle Puck, Mayday Parade, Phinehas, Picturesque, the Amity Affliction, Unearth, Wage War, With Confidence, Twiztid, Sharptooth, Lighterburns, Senses Fail and the Maine.

When Noon July 3 • Where Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 14141 Riverport Drive, Maryland Heights • How much $30-$45 • More info 1-800-745-3000; livenation.com

Source: http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/bye-bye-bye-farewell-concert-tours-don-t-always-mean/collection_bab0b88d-7786-58ae-8f54-0646696182a2.html