See them while you can. Elton John, Bob Seger and Fleetwood Mac are three legendary music artists who will likely never perform another concert in Michigan. Four more huge bands are set to join this list as they embark on farewell tours with one last stop in the “Mitten State” in 2023.
The first big farewell tour coming through will be Foreigner, who will be at Pine Knob on Wednesday, August 30. Loverboy will open for them. Foreigner’s last remaining original member, Mick Jones, is still with the band but doesn’t really perform anymore.
The band is fronted by Kelly Hansen, who joined in 2005. He says at 62, it’s very difficult to perform Foreigner’s songs the way he feels they deserve to be performed.
“This catalog of songs, it’s extremely challenging for a rock tenor vocalist like myself to sing,” Hansen told Billboard. “I never would have thought in a million years I’d be singing these songs in the keys at this age, and I don’t know how much longer I can do that at the level I need do. You can drop keys and do this and do that, but I’m more of an old school person. If I’m not doing it for real then I shouldn’t be doing it.”
FOREIGNER TICKETS (starting around $40)
It doesn’t get any bigger than Aerosmith in the world of rock music. Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton and Brad Whitford will be in Michigan for the final time at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, September 18. The Black Crowes will open for them.
Joey Kramer is not touring to “focus his full attention on his family and health.” “We’re opening up Pandora’s Box one last time to present our fans with the “Peace Out tour,” Tyler said to The Associated Press. Perry added: “I think it’s about time. It’s kind of a chance to celebrate the 50 years we’ve been out here. You never know how much longer everybody’s going to be healthy to do this.”
AEROSMITH TICKETS (starting around $100)
Next is one of the biggest bands in music history: The Eagles. Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit, are scheduled to be in Michigan for the finale time at Little Caesars Arena on Friday, October 13. The band will be joined on stage by Vince Gill and Deacon Frey. Steely Dan will open for them.
The band says on “The Long Goodbye” tour, they will perform as many shows in each market as their audience demands, meaning another Michigan concert could possibly be announced. This farewell tour is expected to continue into 2025.
“The Eagles have had a miraculous 52-year odyssey, performing for people all over the globe; keeping the music alive in the face of tragic losses, upheavals and setbacks of many kinds,” the band said in a statement. “We know how fortunate we are, and we are truly grateful. Our long run has lasted far longer than any of us ever dreamed. But, everything has its time, and the time has come for us to close the circle.”
EAGLES TICKETS (starting around $300)
Finally, one last show for KISS. The rockers are scheduled to play their last concert in Michigan on Friday, October 20 at Little Caesars Arena. It’s the second show (Cincinnati) on the final leg of their tour.
KISS TICKETS (starting around $70)