After decades of sold-out tours, platinum records, and universal anthems, some of rock’s biggest icons are taking their final bows. Aging rockers who once defined generations are now delivering emotional farewell performances around the globe. One of the most recent? Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness and headliner for Black Sabbath, announced his retirement from touring and played what is expected to be his final live concert just this week.
Fans travel from across the world to witness the last notes from their musical heroes. In many cases, health concerns, age, and a desire for peace are prompting artists to exit the stage on their own terms. But what artists have we had to bid farewell to recently and what were their final concerts like?
247 Tempo takes a look at 25 aging rockers and the final concerts they’ve played, whether announced or assumed. Each slide breaks down who they are, where their last show took place, how old they were at the time, and whether they’ve truly announced their retirement or have shifted to studio-only work. Sources include Rolling Stone, Billboard, NME, Variety, and official artist statements.
Ozzy Osbourne
- Age at final concert: 75
- Final concert location: Villa Park, Birmingham, England (2025)
- Career plans: Officially retired from touring with Black Sabbath due to health issues; open to studio work and one-off appearances
Elton John
- Age at final concert: 76
- Final concert location: Tele2 Arena, Stockholm, Sweden (2023)
- Career plans: Retired from touring, but may still write or record music occasionally
Genesis (Phil Collins)
- Age at final concert: 71
- Final concert location: O2 Arena, London (2022)
- Career plans: No future tours planned due to health issues, band officially retired.
Paul Simon
- Age at final concert: 76
- Final concert location: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY (2018)
- Career plans: Retired from touring, continues studio work and occasional performances.
KISS (Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons)
- Age at final concert: Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons were 71 and 73
- Final concert location: Madison Square Garden, NYC (2023)
- Career plans: Transitioned into virtual avatars for future digital performances.
Aerosmith (Steven Tyler)
- Age at final concert: 75
- Final concert location: Boston, MA (2023)
- Career plans: Final tour disrupted by injury; possible rescheduling uncertain.
Bob Dylan
- Age at final concert: 82
- Final concert location: Royal Albert Hall, London, England (November 2024)
- Career plans: Has not formally retired, but future shows are uncertain.
The Rolling Stones (Mick Jagger)
- Age at final concert: 80
- Final concert location: Missouri, U.S. (2024)
- Career plans: No official retirement announced yet, but each tour is treated as potentially the last.
Neil Young
Age at final concert: 77
Final concert location: Michigan, U.S. (2024)
Career plans: No formal retirement, but less frequent touring; latest tour was cancelled and postponed due to illness.
Eric Clapton
- Age at final concert: 78
- Final concert location: Budokan, Tokyo (2023)
- Career plans: Playing limited shows, no official farewell yet.
Bruce Springsteen
- Age at final concert: 74
- Final concert location: Milan, Italy (2025)
- Career plans: No confirmed retirement, but last major tour rumored.
The Who (Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend)
- Age at final concert: Roger Daltrey 80, Pete Townshend 79
- Final concert location: Final North American tour announced and beginning August 2025
- Career plans: No official farewell, but band members are physically slowing down.
Billy Joel
- Age at final concert: 75
- Final concert location: Madison Square Garden, NYC (2024)
- Career plans: Ending residency after a record-breaking 150 shows; not fully touring anytime soon.
Fleetwood Mac (Mick Fleetwood)
- Age at final concert: 75
- Final concert location: Las Vegas, NV (2019)
- Career plans: Future uncertain, though no formal retirement announced.
Pink Floyd (David Gilmour)
- Age at final concert: 78
- Final concert location (with all members): London, England (1994)
- Career plans: Focused on solo work, likely no future tours.
Ringo Starr
- Age at final concert: 84
- Final concert location: London, England (2024)
- Career plans: No additional shows nor a retirement date announced; still active.
Patti Smith
Age at final concert: 77
Final concert location: Brazil (2024); collapsed onstage
Career plans: Scaling back due to health, but no official farewell tour mentioned.
Rod Stewart
- Age at final concert: 79
- Final concert location: Las Vegas, NV (2024)
- Career plans: Focusing on an album, with possible reduced touring in the future.
Peter Gabriel
- Age at final concert: 74
- Final concert location: Dallas, TX (2023)
- Career plans: No formal farewell announced and more music may be in the works.
Tina Turner
- Age at final concert: 69
- Final concert location: Sheffield Arena, UK (2009)
- Career plans: Fully retired before passing in 2023.
The Police (Sting)
- Age at final concert: 50
- Final concert location: Madison Square Garden, NYC (2008)
- Career plans: Band formally disbanded, but Sting may offer up future performances.
Robert Plant
- Age at final concert: 76
- Final concert location: Wolf Trap, VA (2024)
- Career plans: No major farewell tour planned, but may continue touring with Alison Krauss.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images.