BON JOVI RESPOND TO FAREWELL TOUR RUMOURS: 'THIS ISN’T GOODBYE'

Bon Jovi have responded to rumours that their upcoming 2026 tour could be their final curtain call, and frontman Jon Bon Jovi has made it clear he’s not ready to hang up the microphone.

Last week (October 22), the iconic rock band announced a string of UK and Ireland stadium shows, as well as a New York residency for summer 2026. The announcement sent fans into a frenzy of excitement, and concern, with many wondering if the run of dates would serve as a farewell following Jon’s well-documented health struggles.

The 62-year-old frontman underwent vocal cord surgery in 2022, a major procedure that left him unsure if he would ever sing live again. But in a new interview on the How to Fail with Elizabeth Day podcast, Jon set the record straight.

“I’ve always been a pretty resilient guy, and I’ve always had a will,” he said. “My wife used to say, ‘He’ll will it into existence.’ I’d just plough through that field until I got to the other side. When I couldn’t tour, because I physically couldn’t, that was disheartening, but I didn’t want to not do it.”

He continued, “I’m not doing this for the applause, I’m not doing it for the money, I’m not doing it for the fame, I’ve had enough of all of it. But I would like to feel that joy and that resonance, even if it were only one last time.”

While Jon admitted the thought of retirement had crossed his mind during recovery, he was quick to clarify that this isn’t the end. “I don’t think this is anywhere near a farewell tour or anything like that,” he said. “But if it were, you could trust that these few shows I’ve announced are going to be joy-filled, because this gratitude, humility, and opportunity to go out there and do it again is all heartfelt.”

Bon Jovi’s 2026 tour will mark their biggest series of live shows in years, following a period of uncertainty surrounding Jon’s ability to perform. The singer’s vocal surgery involved repairing one of his vocal cords with an implant, a complex and delicate procedure that required months of rehabilitation.

Despite his setbacks, the band’s new tour announcement proves that Bon Jovi are ready to return to the stage with the same energy and passion that made them one of the greatest live acts of all time.

Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi have sold over 130 million records worldwide and are responsible for some of rock’s most enduring anthems, including Livin’ on a Prayer, It’s My Life, Wanted Dead or Alive, and Always.

For fans who have grown up with the band, the 2026 tour represents more than just another concert, it’s a celebration of resilience, longevity, and the enduring power of rock ‘n’ roll.

Tickets for the newly announced dates go on sale soon, and demand is expected to be sky-high as fans rush to see Jon and the band back where they belong, on stage, doing what they do best.

Whether or not this ends up being Bon Jovi’s last major tour, one thing’s for certain: they’re going out on a high note.