Paul Simon says hearing loss could prevent him from touring again

Paul Simon a performing career may be over after sudden hearing loss.

The singer-songwriter spoke about his health and uncertain future in music in an interview with a London publication. Time posted on Saturday.

Simon first noticed that he was in trouble while writing the Seven Psalms album, which was released on May 19.

“All of a sudden I lost most of my hearing in my left ear and no one can explain it,” he said. “So things got more complicated.”

The 81-year-old hoped it was a temporary problem and told The Times: “My reaction to this was disappointment and annoyance; not quite anger yet, because I thought it would pass, it would recover.”

Paul Simon speaks at Global Citizen Live in Central Park on September 2.  February 25, 2021 in New York.
Paul Simon speaks at Global Citizen Live in Central Park on September 2. February 25, 2021 in New York.

Evan Agostini/Invision via The Associated Press

Unfortunately, Simon’s hearing loss remains, leaving him unsure if he will ever take the stage again.

The 12-time Grammy winner said he was trying to come to terms with the idea of ​​retiring, especially given his relationship with some of his hits.

“My songs that I don’t want to sing live, I don’t sing them,” the artist, whose career began with Simon & Garfunkel, said of his extensive catalog.

“Sometimes there are songs that I like, and then at a certain point on the tour I’m like, ‘What the hell are you doing, Paul? “You can call me Al.”

“I would have thought, ‘What are you doing? You’re like a Paul Simon cover band. You must get out of the way, go home.”

Simon has flirted with the idea of ​​retirement before. In 2018 he announced that he had finished touring and recording in a statement on his website.

“I’ve often wondered what it’s like to reach the point where I’m contemplating a natural end to my performing career,” he wrote. “Now I know it’s a little unsettling, a little exciting, and a little relieved.”