How long can the show go on? 7 more rock acts we may not see in concert again

Back in February, I wrote a pair of columns about 14 aging superstar musical acts and the likelihood we’d see them play the metro again. It proved to be a hit with readers, so I’m back with more.

Here’s a look at seven senior acts and the chances we’ve already seen the last of them in concert.

The Who

Ages: Roger Daltrey, 79; Pete Townshend, 77.

Last seen: Sept. 6, 2019; Xcel Energy Center.

The dirt: The Who was one of the biggest bands in the world in the early ’70s. But the 1978 death of drummer Keith Moon and a 1979 crowd crush at a Cincinnati concert that killed 11 fans were the first steps toward the end of the band. Townshend, Daltrey and bassist John Entwistle went on to make two albums with drummer Kenney Jones, but Townshend decided it was time to call it a day. They launched a farewell tour in 1982 and, two years later, released the live album “Who’s Last.”

The retirement didn’t stick. After getting back together to play Live Aid in 1985 and the Brit Awards in 1988, the Who hit the road for a tour celebrating the band’s 25th anniversary. They’ve continued to tour ever since, even after Entwistle died in 2002. Townshend said the group’s 2015 tour would be their final one, and then said the same thing when they toured in 2019. The Who toured the States last year and have European shows booked for this summer.

Will we see them again: In an interview with USA Today last month, Daltry said: “I don’t know if we’ll ever come back to tour America. There is only one tour we could do, an orchestrated ‘Quadrophenia’ to round out the catalog. But that’s one tall order to sing that piece of music, as I’ll be 80 next year. I never say never, but at the moment it’s very doubtful.”

Dolly Parton

Age: 77.

Last seen: July 27, 2011; Mystic Lake Casino.

The dirt: In a career that has spanned seven decades, Parton has reigned as an immensely popular songwriter, performer, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

When she learned she was on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 2022 nominee shortlist, her initial reaction was to ask to be removed from consideration. “I don’t feel that I have earned that right,” she said in a statement posted to social media. “I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out. I do hope that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again, if I’m ever worthy.”

After the Rock Hall said she was staying on the ballot anyway, Parton ultimately decided she’d “gracefully” accept if nominated. She was, and at the induction ceremony she announced “I’m a rock star now!” from the stage and reiterated her previously announced plans to make a rock record: “If I’m gonna be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I’m gonna have to earn it.”

Last week, she officially announced her 49th album, dubbed “Rockstar,” is due out Nov. 17. It features 30 tracks (21 of which are covers) and 40 guest musicians, including no less than a Beatles reunion of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, who join Parton (along with Mick Fleetwood and Peter Frampton) on her cover of “Let It Be.” She couldn’t get Robert Plant or Jimmy Page for “Stairway to Heaven,” but she did convince Lizzo to handle the flute part.

The quite frankly staggering guest list also includes Steve Perry (singing Journey’s “Open Arms”), Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Brandi Carlile, Pink, Sting, Ann Wilson, John Fogerty, Debbie Harry, Rob Halford, Chris Stapleton, Miley Cyrus, Simon Le Bon, Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow, Pat Benatar, Michael McDonald, Joan Jett, Melissa Etheridge and – because they can’t all be winners – Kid Rock.

Will we see her again: Parton has never really been a hardcore road dog. Her 64-date 2016 tour was her largest in 25 years and she’s only played a handful of one-off gigs and award shows in the years since. That said, her longtime manager Danny Nozell is a St. Paul native. So perhaps she’ll be back in town in a non-performing role like in 2018 when she came to watch a staged reading of her musical “Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol” at the Ordway.

Aerosmith

Ages: Steven Tyler, 75; Joe Perry, 72; Tom Hamilton, 71; Brad Whitford, 71; Joey Kramer, 72.

Last seen: July 19, 2019; Twin Cities Summer Jam.

The dirt: After establishing themselves as the American Rolling Stones in the ’70s, struggles with addiction nearly derailed Aerosmith’s career. But after a groundbreaking 1986 collaboration with Run-DMC on a new version of their hit “Walk This Way,” Aerosmith went on to enjoy one of the biggest comebacks in rock history.

Aerosmith’s popularity peaked with 1998’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” – a Diane Warren power ballad that topped the charts around the world – but they remained a popular live act for the decades that followed. In 2012, they wrapped up their contract with Columbia Records by releasing “Music from Another Dimension,” their 15th and presumably final album.

Over the past dozen years, Aerosmith’s future has looked shaky at times. Flamboyant frontman Tyler and guitarist Perry have publicly feuded over Tyler’s stint as a judge on “American Idol” and his failed attempt to launch a solo country career with 2016’s “We’re All Somebody from Somewhere.” In 2015, band members began publicly discussing a final tour and a 2017 European outing was billed as their farewell.

Will we see them again: Earlier this month, Aerosmith announced what they’re calling a farewell tour, which includes a Nov. 13 stop at Xcel Energy Center.

The Police

Ages: Sting, 71; Stewart Copeland, 70; Andy Summers, 80.

Last seen: July 3, 2007; Xcel Energy Center.

The dirt: Formed in England in 1977, the Police were one of the biggest bands of the new wave era, thanks to a string of hits like “Roxanne,” “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” and “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.”

Just before the trio was set to record their sixth album in 1986, Copeland fell off a horse and broke his collarbone, leaving him unable to play drums. The sessions went nowhere and the Police called it a day. Summers later said the effort “was doomed from the outset … It was clear Sting had no real intention of writing any new songs for the Police. It was an empty exercise.”

Much to the surprise of pretty much everyone, the Police reunited for a 30th anniversary world tour in 2007 that, at the time, became the third highest-grossing tour of all time.

Will we see them again: No. As Sting said in 2008: “There will be no new album, no big new tour. Once we’re done with our reunion tour, that’s it for the Police.”

Paul Simon

Age: 81.

Last seen: June 8, 2018; Xcel Energy Center.

The dirt: Simon first rose to fame in the ’60s as half of the folk-rock duo Simon and Garfunkel. He went on to establish a successful solo career in the ’70s and has won 16 Grammys, including an Album of the Year award for 1986’s “Graceland,” his biggest-selling solo record.

In 2018, Simon announced his retirement from touring with one final outing, citing time away from his family and the death of longtime guitarist Vincent Nguini as key factors. “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 news release at the time. “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.”

Will we see them again: Simon ruled out further tours, although he has performed a handful of shows over the past five years. It seems doubtful he’ll ever play the Twin Cities again, although he is continuing to record new music. His 15th solo album, “Seven Palms,” was released Friday and includes guests Wynton Marsalis and Simon’s wife Edie Brickell.

Lionel Richie

Age: 73.

Last seen: Aug. 30, 2019; Minnesota State Fair Grandstand.

The dirt: An Alabama native, Richie considered becoming a priest but chose to pursue music instead. In 1968, he joined the Commodores as a singer and saxophonist. The band signed to Motown and scored a series of hits including “Easy,” “Brick House,” “Three Times a Lady” and “Lady (You Bring Me Up).”

In 1980, Richie wrote the No. 1 hit “Lady” for Kenny Rogers. The following year, he sang the theme song for the film “Endless Love” with Diana Ross, which became one of Motown’s biggest hits. Richie then went solo and released a string of successful singles including “Truly,” “All Night Long (All Night),” “Hello,” “Say You, Say Me” and “Dancing on the Ceiling.”

In the late ’80s, Richie took a break from his career to care for his father, who died in 1990. In the time since, he has taken a more casual approach to music, occasionally releasing new music and touring sporadically. His most recent album, 2012’s “Tuskegee,” featured new versions of his best-known songs, each performed with a different country artist, ranging from Shania Twain to Jason Aldean. It turned into a surprise hit and sold more than a million copies.

Richie can still pull in the crowds, too. He filled the Grandstand in 2019 with 12,632 grinning fans.

Will we see him again: He’ll be back on the road this summer on a joint tour with Earth, Wind and Fire that lands at the X on Aug. 4. I’m guessing when he does decide to retire, he’ll let his audience know with a proper sendoff tour.

Eric Clapton

Age: 78.

Last seen: June 18, 2009; Xcel Energy Center.

The dirt: The only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Clapton began performing as a teenager. His solo career has earned him 18 Grammy Awards and second place, behind Jimi Hendrix, on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time list. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist and as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream.

In recent years, Clapton has earned headlines as an outspoken anti-vaxxer, going so far as to release a pair of singles with Van Morrison about the subject, “Stand and Deliver” and “This Has Gotta Stop.” In July 2021, Clapton said he would “not perform on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present.” The following May, he tested positive for COVID-19 after headlining Royal Albert Hall in London.

Will we see him again: He’s playing the X on Sept. 14 with Jimmie Vaughan. In 2014, Clapton hinted at retirement to the British magazine Uncut and said “I don’t want to go off the boil to the point where I’m embarrassing myself.”