2018 is shaping up to be the year of farewell tours with the likes of Sir Elton John, Paul Simon, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ozzy Osbourne and Neil Diamond announcing their retirements from touring life.

Elton John, 70, made his stunning announcement during a press conference in NYC where expressed a desire to spend more quality time with his family. As the pop icon brings his Vegas residency to a close (April 28 – May 19), he prepares to travel the world and conclude his touring days on a high note, with the 300 performance “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour. While this will be the end of his performance career, he promises to continue writing music.

76 year old, Paul Simon, of Simon and Garfunkel revealed his “Homeward Bound” farewell tour shortly after Elton John, also sighting a desire to spend more time with his family as the main reason for bringing his touring career to a close. Proceeds from the 29-concert “Homeward Bound” tour with go to charity, and the guitarist/singer hopes to still play an “acoustically pristine” concert hall from time to time. The tour begins on May 16 in Vancouver, Canada, and ends July 15 in London.

American rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, will recruit support from guests like Kid Rock, Hank Williams Jr. and Bad Company, Charlie Daniels Band, the Marshall Tucker Band, .38 Special, Blackberry Smoke and Blackfoot, as they embark upon their “The Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour,” which will begin on May 4 in Palm Beach, Florida. The band of 7 will tour the US through summer with their final performance on September 1 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Prince of Darkness, 69 year old Ozzy Osbourne, was actually the first of the three Brits to call it quits in November 2017, with his 2018-2020 “Farewell World Tour” announcement. He assured fans that this would not mark his last time gracing a stage, but rather, it will be the final time he makes a tour around the world to celebrate his music career with his longtime fans.