Ziggy may still play guitar. But he won’t be taking it on the road anytime soon.
Word out of the United Kingdom this past weekend is that David Bowie will never tour again, despite being in relatively good health and continuing to create new music. British concert veteran John Giddings, head of London-based Solo Agency and the brawn behind England’s Isle of Wight Festival, says the 68-year-old Bowie is done with life on the road. Bowie hasn’t toured since 2004.
“David is one of the best artists I’ve ever worked with,” Giddings says, via Billboard. “But every time I see him now, before I even speak to him, he goes, ‘I’m not touring’ and I say, I’m not asking.” Giddings made the comments while speaking at the inaugural International Festival Forum.
He adds: “He has decided to retire and, like Phil Collins, you can’t demand these people go out there again and again and again. I’m really pleased and proud that the last show he ever did in the U.K. was the 2004 Isle Of Wight Festival.”
Bowie’s latest album, the critically acclaimed 2013 LP The Next Day brought about rumors he may return to the stage for extended tours. Recently, Bowie created the theme song for upcoming British TV series, The Last Panthers, which the NME describes as a six-part crime thriller co-produced by Sky and France’s Canal+.
Listen to it below.