usc farewell tour

Around the Pac-12: Loaded conference begins farewell tour in search of elusive College Football Playoff bid

• Updated: Sep. 11, 2023, 11:42 a.m.
• | Published: Aug. 29, 2023, 7:35 a.m.

Can Southern California and quarterback Caleb Williams — or any other Pac-12 team — break the conference's College Football Playoff drought? (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) AP

• Joe Freeman | The Oregonian/OregonLive

In a cruel twist of fate, the Conference of Champions will enter its farewell tour in a position to contend for something that has eluded it for the better part of the last two decades.

A … well … championship.

The Pac-12 is so stacked with talent and top-end teams, it could pose a legitimate threat to the normal cluster of contenders shortly before more than a century of history and tradition are obliterated and scattered across the country.

The conference enters the season with five teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, as the USC Trojans (6), Washington Huskies (10), Utah Utes (14), Oregon Ducks (15) and Oregon State Beavers (18) cracked the preseason poll. Only one conference — the mighty SEC — boasts more (six).

The Pac-12 is loaded with star power, featuring a returning Heisman Trophy winner, six preseason AP All-Americans, an impressive list of high-profile quarterbacks and multiple players projected to land in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. Things are so exciting, Deion Sanders couldn’t help but join the party , cowboy hat and all.

Among the conference’s contenders, Las Vegas gives USC the best odds of winning a championship at +1400, but Oregon (+4000), Washington (+4000) and Utah (+8000) are also among the top 18 favorites. (Oregon State and UCLA are +20000 longshots, by the way, alongside Auburn, TCU, Florida and others. Odds are via BetMGM .)

It’s the most hype in years for a conference that has struggled to send a team to the College Football Playoff, let alone win a title.

The Pac-12 has not reached the CFP since the 2016 season (Washington) and has earned just two berths in the nine-year CFP era — the Ducks played for the championship at the end of the 2014 season. What’s more, the conference has finished with a team in the top five of the AP poll in just four of the last nine years and has been left out of the top 10 three times during that span.

As for titles, well, the Pac-12 has produced just three national champions in the last 43 seasons, and two — USC in 2003 and Washington in 1991 — shared titles. The Trojans’ 2004 championship is the only undisputed victory for the Pac-12 since USC’s dominance in the 1970s. One can only wonder if the conference had been more successful, even over the last decade, whether it would have been more attractive to television executives and avoided the college football realignment drama.

That’s immaterial in what figures to be its swan song, of course, and suddenly the Pac-12 appears flush with standout teams and intriguing talent. If the conference can avoid cannibalizing itself and deliver a champion with no more than one defeat, that CFP drought could be a thing of the past.

Who is poised to break through?

USC is the media pick to win the conference title, thanks to reigning Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams, second-team All-America safety Calen Bullock and another batch of high-profile transfers. The Huskies are generating a lot of love — including from Pac-12 guru Jon Wilner — thanks to Heisman hopeful Michael Penix Jr. and a drool-worthy crop of wide receivers that includes All-America candidate and first-round draft prospect Rome Odunze. The Utes and returning quarterback Cam Rising (in what feels like his ninth year in Salt Lake) are the two-time reigning champions and, as the cliché goes, the title runs through the champs.

As for Oregon’s twosome, the Ducks are a dark horse candidate that will go as far as billboard darling Bo Nix, a new offensive line and coach Dan Lanning’s retooled defense will take them. And Oregon State — which has been cast aside during college football’s realignment drama just as coach Jonathan Smith finished his multi-year rebuild — is the sentimental favorite , featuring transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, talented sophomore running back Damien Martinez and an underrated defense.

Let’s take a spin Around the Pac-12 with some season preview links from the world of college football:

• ESPN dives into the conference with a standard breakdown of MVP candidates, high-impact transfers and coaches on the hot seat. One nugget of note: The Beavers are one of ESPN’s sleeper picks. “Adding quarterback DJ Uiagalelei from the transfer portal should only raise the ceiling for this team going into the season. Should DJU pan out, don’t be surprised to see Smith’s team compete for a spot in the conference title game.”

• Saturday Out West has put together “the ultimate” Pac-12 preview. In the extensive overview, it labels USC as the frontrunner, Oregon and Washington as “the challenger(s)” and Oregon State as the dark horse.

• Sports Illustrated is taking things one step further with the Beavers in its “bold college football predictions,” calling for Oregon State to win the Pac-12. “Are you a Beaver believer? You should be. If Clemson transfer D.J. Uiagalelei regains his top form, this will be a beautifully balanced offense. The defense might not be as good as last year’s, but it should still be one of the best in the league.”

• The Athletic is predicting that USC will defeat Washington in the final Pac-12 championship game. “The Trojans face a tougher schedule than last year when they missed Washington and Oregon, which means they’re going to need a more competent defense. I’m cautiously optimistic, thanks to talented transfers like linebacker Mason Cobb (Oklahoma State) and defensive linemen Anthony Lucas (Texas A&M) and Bear Alexander (Georgia).

• USA Today has questions about the Trojans’ defense, but is still predicting a USC title .

• CBS Sports, in a drastically different take, calls USC the most overrated team in the conference. “The Trojans were picked to win the Pac-12, but I’m not sure why. Williams is back, sure, but the landscape of the conference doesn’t lend itself to the reigning Heisman winner leading them to Pac-12 glory. Why? Considering the quarterback talent elsewhere in the conference, virtually every USC game will result in shootouts. Defensive fundamentals have been sorely lacking for coach Lincoln Riley dating back to his Oklahoma days, and that was the case in Los Angeles last year as well. Plus, the 1.50 turnover margin — the best mark in the nation — is unsustainable and unlikely to carry over from year to year.” The most underrated team: Oregon.

• Pac-12 analyst Yogi Roth, in an interview with On3′s Andy Staples , said he believes six teams are legitimate contenders. But his pick is the Huskies.

• The Sporting News believes in USC and Williams , despite the Trojans’ defensive concerns.

• In its deep dive into the Pac-12, 247 Sports projects that two quarterbacks will be Heisman finalists .

• Looking for the goods from the one and only Phil Steele? On3 has a breakdown of his Pac-12 picks.

• Yahoo Sports has a Pac-12 overview and pegs USC as the conference favorite .

• The New York Post says the Pac-12 will “go out with a bang” and send a team to the CFP.

— Joe Freeman | [email protected] | 503-294-5183 | @BlazerFreeman | Subscribe to The Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.

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As USC, UCLA begin their farewell tour, which Pac-12 teams have the best shot at dethroning the Utes?

The trojans and bruins would like to leave the pac-12 on a high note, but utah, washington and oregon, among others, may have other plans.

By Jeff Call

No doubt, the 2023 football season marks the end of a long and distinguished era for the Pac-12 Conference.

“Well, I think it speaks to just that: our program. I think we’ve got a very good football program. That’s what you want. You don’t want to have a good team every now and then. You want to have a good program. I think that’s the point we’re at right now.” — Utah coach Kyle Whittingham on the Utes’ success

USC and UCLA are entering their final season in the league ahead of jumping to the Big Ten in 2024.

The Trojans joined the Pac-12 in 1922, while the Bruins became members of the conference in 1928. 

That’s a lot of history, tradition and memories. But the two programs from Los Angeles are moving on . 

And amid those schools’ farewell tours, there should be a fierce fight for the Pac-12 football championship. 

Certainly, the league is in much better shape than it was after the 2021 campaign, when the Pac-12 posted an 0-5 record in bowl games and saw Washington lose at home to Montana and Arizona fall at home to Northern Arizona, and watched BYU go 5-0 against Pac-12 foes. 

But in 2022, five Pac-12 teams finished ranked in the final Associated Press poll — Washington (8), Utah (10), USC (12), Oregon (15), Oregon State (17) and UCLA (21).

This year, those same six teams have a legitimate shot at capturing the title. The Utes have won back-to-back championships and are eyeing a third. 

With the Trojans and Bruins departing the league, and leaving behind a massive void, the Utes are working to fill that void, and become the face of the Pac-12 in football. 

After beating USC in the Pac-12 championship game in Las Vegas last December, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham was asked about the standard that the Utes have established since joining the league in 2011. 

“Well, I think it speaks to just that: our program. I think we’ve got a very good football program. That’s what you want. You don’t want to have a good team every now and then. You want to have a good program,” he said. “I think that’s the point we’re at right now.

“We have a program that’s got some momentum now, a great deal of pride, a great deal of talent on the roster, excellent coaches. That’s what you strive for, to be an outstanding program. Thanks to the hard work of our assistant coaches and players, we’re closing in on that.”

But the Utes will certainly be challenged this fall, as USC, Washington, Oregon, Oregon State and UCLA are all expected to be in contention.  

The league could be even better this year than it was last year. 

Meanwhile, Pac-12 doormat Colorado , which went 1-11 last season, is suddenly a team to watch with the arrival of coach Deion Sanders . His program has been almost completely overhauled through the transfer portal. Fans in Boulder are responding by gobbling up season tickets. 

Arizona is a program that seems to be on the rise under third-year coach Jedd Fisch and don’t underestimate Washington State, which has two new coordinators. 

Cal has a new offensive coordinator, while Stanford has a new head coach in Troy Taylor , replacing David Shaw.

Coaches Lincoln Riley (USC), Kalen DeBoer (Washington) and Dan Lanning (Oregon) each had tremendous debut seasons with their new programs, while Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham is hoping to find success in his first season at the helm of the Sun Devils. 

The league has gained national attention thanks to its talented group of quarterbacks, headlined by USC’s Heisman Trophy winner, Caleb Williams . Utah’s Cam Rising returns though he didn’t participate in spring practices due to a major knee injury he suffered in the Rose Bowl. 

There are other explosive QBs in the league — Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), Bo Nix (Oregon), Cameron Ward (Washington State) and Jayden de Laura (Arizona). 

And there are intriguing newcomers at QB in the league, like Oregon State’s DJ Uiagalelei, a transfer from Clemson, and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. They’re expected to make an immediate impact.

In the final season of the Pac-12, before it changes forever, there are plenty of intriguing storylines to follow. 

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USC's Bookstore Savagely Trolls The PAC-12 With Incredible Shirt

USC students and fans can buy an awesome shirt trolling the PAC-12 for less than $40.

The Trojans opened the season by destroying San Jose State 56-28 Saturday, but the blowout victory might not be the most savage thing the program has done to get the year rolling.

The school's bookstore is selling a shirt for "The Farewell Tour" of the PAC-12 now that the conference has collapsed and the Trojans will join the Big Ten in 2024.

For the reasonable price of $34.95, USC fans can wear one of the best troll shirts college football fans have seen in a long time.

USC trolls opponents with brutal shirt.

This is honestly an incredible troll job from USC's bookstore. It's awesome, and a great reminder of what makes college football so incredible.

The PAC-12 is cooked. It will soon be something only whispered about as a cautionary tale of what happens when poor leadership fails to land a new media deal.

Meanwhile, USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington are joining the Big Ten next summer. The Trojans and Bruins have massive paydays waiting for them. The Ducks and Huskies are coming at a reduced rate but will be just fine.

USC started the season with a blowout win over San Jose State. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

USC is moving to a much greener pasture, and clearly doesn't mind letting the rest of the PAC-12 know about it. Absolutely savage.

A lot of fans are livid the PAC-12 collapsed. Clearly, the Trojans don't give a damn. After all, USC and UCLA leaving first is what kicked off the PAC-12's demise.

Now, USC fans can wear a shirt rubbing it in everyone's face. What's not to love? Taylor Swift is The Eras Tour and the Trojans are running through the PAC-12 one final time before jumping to the B1G.

USC's bookstore is selling an incredible shirt trolling the PAC-12. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Now, if you're going to wear a shirt like this, you better win. Judging from the Trojans hammering San Jose State, there should be plenty of more big wins on the schedule.

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The 2023 Pac-12 QB class is giving us a farewell tour like no other

NEARLY SEVEN FULL weeks into the college football season, it wouldn't be too difficult to rank your top Heisman Trophy contenders and find yourself only listing Pac-12 quarterbacks. Michael Penix Jr . Caleb Williams . Bo Nix .

Earlier in the year, you could have added Colorado 's Shedeur Sanders -- who still leads the nation in total passing yards -- and until this past week, you could have also made a case for Washington State 's Cameron Ward too. And those are just the headliners.

Cameron Rising -- winner of the past two Pac-12 championships at Utah and the MVP of the 2022 game -- has yet to play this season. Oregon State 's DJ Uiagalelei , who transferred from Clemson , had his best performance of the season with five touchdowns in a game. Dante Moore is shining through some freshman growing pains and, alongside a menacing defense, has UCLA looking like a conference contender.

Then something like Saturday night happens, when Arizona 's Noah Fifita walks into the Los Angeles Coliseum as the Wildcats' freshman backup and proceeds to nearly pull off an upset over Williams and USC . With Jayden de Laura out with an injury, Fifita has stepped in and shown to be plenty capable of going toe-to-toe with the conference's best.

From the sheer depth of talent, to the thrilling matchups, to the Heisman contenders, the Pac-12's identity this season has been clear: Led by some of the best quarterbacks in the country -- a historic class -- the conference boasts seven ranked teams in the AP Top 25 poll and some of the best offenses in the nation.

For a conference that is dissolving at the end of this season, what we're witnessing is not so much a swan song, but more like a farewell tour for a rock band led by a handful of the most electric frontmen in the country.

ONE OF THE few reasons Fifita was unable to secure an upset on Saturday was because of Williams. Despite having a lackluster performance in the passing game by his standards, the reigning Heisman winner still managed to show his versatility and resilience, using his legs to get into the end zone three times, including in the third overtime.

With the game on the line, and a play that was drawn up to be a pass before two receivers ran into each other, Williams made a beeline for the pylon. At first glance, there didn't look to be much room for Williams to score, but as he's done over and over throughout the past two seasons, Williams found a way. His hesitation move stopped a defender long enough for him to find a crease that he used to get the ball across the goal line and secure the win for USC.

"I know I haven't ran this year much," Williams said after the game. "I don't really like to run to be honest with you, but you got to do whatever you got to do to win the game. It doesn't matter whether it's me running, whether it's me passing 400 [yards], whether it's me running for 200 and handing the ball off, having good play fakes, just doing my job."

Although he's only played three full games this season due to blowouts, his numbers have been as impressive as last season.

Through six games, no quarterback has thrown more touchdowns than Williams (22), who is clear of the field by three scores. Add in the rushing touchdowns (six) and Williams has accounted for more than half of USC's total points this season. His 28 touchdowns are the most by a Pac-12 player through his team's first six games in the past 20 seasons.

This week, however, Williams will take a backseat to Washington 's Penix and Oregon 's Nix.

Penix and Nix will meet in Seattle this weekend in one of the conference's highly anticipated matchups.

Like Williams, both are transfers in their second year with their teams. And with a year of familiarity, they both have their respective teams to 5-0 starts.

Nix, who isn't that far removed from an up-and-down campaign at Auburn , where he never reached 3,000 passing yards in a season and threw 16 interceptions over three seasons, has evolved significantly as a quarterback and become a paragon of consistency and efficiency for the Ducks. After deciding to forego the NFL draft following an impressive first season in Eugene, Nix leads FBS in completion percentage at 80.4. He is only the third quarterback in the past 20 seasons to maintain a completion percentage above 80 through the first five games.

Nix's evolution has been a sight to behold. As Dan Lanning, who has said Nix is the best quarterback in the country, explained after the Ducks' drubbing of Colorado, Nix is so comfortable in the offense now that he even called a few touchdown-scoring plays during that game.

"I want to demand perfection for myself," Nix said.

Nix's counterpart this weekend in Seattle has been seemingly perfect every time he drops back for the Huskies. Last year, Penix transferred from Indiana to play under Kalen DeBoer in his first season at UW and the effect was immediate . Both turned around a program in need of a fresh start and were likely one loss from a chance at a Pac-12 title and a shot at the College Football Playoff.

This season, so far, has felt like an extension of their success last season. And at the forefront of it all is Penix, who like Williams has also been able to take off several quarters thanks to the Huskies' dominance, while still putting up gaudy numbers. Through five games, Penix leads FBS in passing yards per game (399.8) and per attempt (11.2 yards) with three games over 400 passing yards already -- most of any signal-caller in the country.

"He's a great quarterback so he puts it right where I need to get it," Washington wideout Rome Odunze said.

Penix's 16-to-2 touchdown to interception ratio, coupled with his 1,999 total passing yards, can only encapsulate his dominance this season. Surrounded by a slew of skill players, Penix has shown off his playmaking and deep ball plenty. Perhaps the biggest sign of Penix's success can be found by watching and hearing how he's felt this year.

"It's been very fun, I'm not even going to lie," Penix said. "It takes me back to my young days."

DEPENDING ON YOUR perspective, the aforementioned three quarterbacks at the top of the sport have been thriving in the shadow of a quarterback in their own conference.

That would be Sanders.

For reasons both within and outside his control, Sanders has become one of the conference's -- well, the sport's -- marquee players. And though the noise that surrounds him is saturated, the junior has met the frenzy with impressive play. Outside of having more passing yards than any quarterback in the country, Sanders is completing 72.7% of his passes and has thrown 16 touchdowns to just two interceptions.

It's evident how much Colorado relies on Sanders' passing to carry the load offensively -- so far he's averaging over 42 attempts per game (third-highest in the country) -- but watching the Buffs play, it's hard to argue they should be opting for any other strategy. During what was supposed to be a transition year for Deion Sanders, Shedeur's play has carried them to four wins. Shedeur's ability to perform under pressure despite being sacked 23 times -- more than any quarterback in the country -- has also played a factor.

"He always does this," Deion said of Shedeur after the Buffs beat out Arizona State last week thanks to a Shedeur drive. "You see it every week, this ain't new for him. You've seen this every week. We've seen him do this every week. It's like we wait for him to put on his cape and do what he does. That's what he does every week. You guys should be accustomed to it by now."

It's true. At Jackson State , Shedeur had multiple winning drives and clutch throws on his way to back-to-back 3,000-plus-yards seasons. The transition to a Power 5 conference hasn't stopped him, and one could say the same for Washington State's Ward, who last year transferred from Incarnate Word .

Ward was more of an unknown than many of his Pac-12 counterparts, but his stats at Incarnate Word (4,648 yards, 47 touchdowns in 2021) leaped off the page. After a transition season last year, when he still threw for over 3,000 yards, Ward has looked more comfortable and effective in the Cougars' offense this season, putting together two performances of over 400 yards and two games of at least four touchdowns. Through five games, he is on pace for over 30 touchdowns.

Numbers aside, Ward is one of the more entertaining quarterbacks to watch in the conference. When he drops back, he is not only never still, but it looks like he's on a trampoline, bouncing on his feet while he surveys the field.

"He's just such a difficult player to defend," UCLA's Chip Kelly said of Ward. "And he always scrambles to throw. So that means you have to stay in coverage for a really, really long time."

Kelly's vaunted UCLA defense limited Ward last week, and while the Bruins' head coach has been able to rely on a defense led by D'Anton Lynn, he's also decided on the team's starting quarterback after a tight quarterback competition: true freshman Moore.

The Detroit native lacked experience but was clearly the most talented of UCLA's quarterbacks. His youth has shown this season (four interceptions, 53% completion percentage) but the flashes he's shown (nine touchdowns, five throws of 60 yards or more) have been enough for Kelly to keep starting the 19-year-old in hopes of establishing a foundation.

"He's going to be a hell of a player," Wazzu head coach Jake Dickert said of Moore. "I mean that. He's just a few games into his career and you see the talent. ... I think that kid is just scratching the surface."

IT'S HARD TO believe that, somehow, this Pac-12 quarterback lineup could have been better this year. And yet, while the names above shine from week to week, one of the conference's best at the position is still sitting on the sidelines watching his team struggle.

Rising is still recovering from offseason surgery after, according to him, suffering a torn meniscus, MPFL and MCL in the Rose Bowl. While Rising has receded to the background, a return for him this season could add to the conference's stable of elite quarterbacks and prove fortuitous for a Utah team with a staunch defense and plenty of tough tests on the horizon.

Now the fun begins. After getting off to scorching starts, the Pac-12's best quarterbacks will face each other as league play begins in earnest. What awaits are some of the season's most anticipated matchups. Penix against Nix. Nix against Williams. Williams against Penix. Penix against Ward. Ward against Sanders. And so on. Whoever emerges unscathed will likely be in the drivers' seat to win the conference, potentially make the playoff and be one of the front-runners for the Heisman Trophy.

Currently, the Allstate Playoff Predictor suggests the Pac-12 has a 70% chance of sending one team to the College Football Playoff. If one of those teams makes it, it will be the first time a conference team makes it into the final four since 2016. This year may not just be the Pac-12's last shot to get a team in the final four, but it may also be its best. The self-proclaimed conference of champions is going away after this season, but not without making a last stand as the conference of quarterbacks.

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Amber Wild opened for KISS on their 2023 farewell tour

Amber Wild , a band featuring guitarist and USC Thornton alum Marshall Via (BM ’21, MS ’21) as well as current Thornton student, drummer Thomas Lowrey, opened for KISS on their 2023 “End of the Road” farewell tour, which culminated on Dec. 2 in New York City. The band formed in January 2023 and is led by Evan Stanley, the son of KISS’s Paul Stanley. In October, they released a pair of debut singles, “Breakout” and “Silver.”

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Farewell Tour Tracker: 14 Artists Now Saying Goodbye

All good things must come to an end, including the touring careers of beloved rock artists.

Deciding to come off the road isn't an easy one. As performing artists, being onstage in front of fans is an integral part of the profession. Without an audience, where else can that immediate connection occur? Even now, as some artists enter their 70s and even 80s, touring isn't necessarily off the table.

But touring can also be exhausting, expensive and time-consuming, and for some, 2023 will mark the end of the road. After decades of performing, farewell tours are in order. Even though it should be noted that in many cases, artists have specified that they are not retiring from live performing altogether or from music in general, just the large-scale touring they've been doing for years.

For several in the below list of Farewell Tour Tracker: 14 Artists Now Saying Goodbye, this isn't the end but the start of a different chapter. "Well, it looks like that's it for this outfit,"  Bob Weir  wrote on social media following the news that Dead & Company would be coming off the road. "But don't worry, we will all be out there in one form or another until we drop."

For others, like Elton John and Kiss , this year will bring the end of farewell tours that have been going on for years. (Let's not forget the pandemic that put a halt to some of these.) Whether it's really goodbye this time remains to be seen.

Farewell Tour Tracker

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Breaking news, you won’t believe ticket prices for dead and company’s farewell tour.

There’s only a few more opportunities to “ride that train.”

Dead and Company with John Mayer are embarking on their 29-concert ‘Farewell Tour’ starting May 19 in Los Angeles and then calling it quits after their last gig ever at San Francisco’s Oracle Park on July 16.

And if you want to see Mayer aka Slow Hand Jr. jam with original Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Mickey Hart as well as Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti and Jay Lane (sitting in for drummer Bill Kreutzmann), we’re here to help .

Our team found the cheapest tickets available to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group for all shows including their two gigs at Saratoga Springs’ Saratoga Performing Arts Center on June 17-18 and New York’s Citi Field on June 21-22.

We’re happy to report that some tickets are shockingly inexpensive .

At the time of publication, the lowest price we found on tickets was $17 before fees on Vivid Seats.

Considering this is the last time the legendary jam band is ever playing live, that’s a bona fide Deadhead bargain.

Want to find out how much tickets cost when John, Bob, Mickey and the gang roll into your town?

Here’s everything you need to know and more about Dead and Company’s 2023 Farewell Tour.

All prices listed above are subject to fluctuation.

Dead and Company 2023 tour schedule

A complete calendar including all Dead and Company tour dates, venues and links to the cheapest tickets available can be found below.

(Note: The New York Post confirmed all above prices at the publication time. All prices are subject to fluctuation and include additional fees at checkout .)

Vivid Seats is a verified secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand. 

They offer a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and your tickets will be delivered prior to the event.

John Mayer solo tour

Months after Dead and Company wrap things up for good, John Mayer will return to the road for another leg of his ongoing ‘Solo Tour.’

Along the way, he’ll stop into New York City’s Madison Square Garden for back-to-back nights on Oct. 3 and Oct. 4 .

A few weeks later, he’s set to headline Long Island’s UBS Arena on Oct. 21 .

If you need more info, click here to find Mayer’s complete tour calendar .

Other farewell tours in 2023

Dead and Company aren’t the only act hanging it up for good this year.

Here are just five more of our favorites taking their hits on the road one last time this year.

•  Aerosmith

•  Foreigner

• Kenny Loggins

•  Parliament Funkadelic

Curious who else is retiring from the road in 2023? Check out our list of all acts on their farewell tour here .

Alan Jackson says he’s ‘hanging it up full time’ — right after one last country-music tour

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Country music‘s Alan Jackson is hanging up his cowboy hat, announcing his final tour dates while his health is “getting worse.”

“I’ve been touring for over 30 years, you know, played everywhere in the country and parts of the world and had a wonderful career,” he said in a video posted on X, announcing the final dates of his Last Call: One More for the Road farewell tour.

The “Chattahoochee” singer, 65, cited a desire to spend more time with family — in particular, his three daughters and his grandchildren — as he enters his “twilight years.”

“I enjoy spending more time at home and don’t want to be away like I had to be in my younger days,” he said. “I think it’s just getting time to start thinking about hanging it up full time.”

Alan Jackson postpones upcoming weekend concerts to deal with ‘health issues’

‘I hoped I’d be able to be there; I hate to disappoint my fans,’ Jackson said of postponing a couple of upcoming weekend shows.

Oct. 5, 2022

Another factor in Jackson’s decision was his diagnosis with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a genetic neurological condition that affects muscle control in the feet and hands. The condition is not fatal but can severely restrict mobility, according to the Cleveland Clinic . The singer has had to postpone shows in order to deal with related health issues , notably halting a multi-show outing in 2022 to deal with “health issues” stemming from the disease.

“Most of my fans know I have a degenerative health condition that affects my legs and arms and my mobility,” the two-time Grammy winner explained in this week’s video. “And it’s getting worse.”

“It makes me more uncomfortable on stage and I just have a hard time. I just want to think about maybe calling it quits before I’m unable to do the job like I want to,” he concluded.

Review: Alan Jackson remembers the good times at Nokia Theatre

Implicit in the name of Alan Jackson’s current road show, the Keepin’ It Country tour, is the idea that this veteran country star is engaged in some resistance.

Feb. 28, 2015

The Country Music Hall of Fame member revealed his diagnosis in a 2021 interview on “ Today ,” explaining that he decided to make the information public because it was beginning to visibly affect his performances.

“I just wanted the fans and the public to know if they’ve come to see me in the last few years or if they come to see me in the future if I play anymore, what’s going on,” he told co-host Jenna Bush Hager.

“In some ways, [disclosing the condition is] a relief because I was starting to get so self-conscious up there, about stumbling around,” he said. “And it just made me nervous up there trying to keep my balance. And I look pitiful. So I think it’ll be good for me now to get it out in the open, and so if anybody’s curious why I don’t walk right, that’s why.”

At the time, the entertainer said he had no plans to stop touring but that his health condition might affect his availability.

Jackson’s final shows will be played from August to May in Boston; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Fayetteville, Ark.; Kansas City, Mo.; Salt Lake City; Oklahoma City; Fort Worth, Texas; Orlando and Tampa, Fla., and Milwaukee. Tickets went on sale Friday.

More to Read

Janet Jackson announces Las Vegas residency that will launch in December

Aug. 21, 2024

‘SNL’ alum Victoria Jackson says her cancer is back and she has less than 3 years to live

Aug. 16, 2024

Aerosmith retires from touring, citing permanent damage to Steven Tyler’s voice last year

Aug. 4, 2024

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Aerosmith Announces 2023 Farwell Tour With Date at United Center in Chicago

The 20-date tour kicks off in september, by nbc 5 staff and wire reports • published may 1, 2023 • updated on may 1, 2023 at 11:32 am.

From a mysterious countdown clock, to a video of the iconic opening to "Walk This Way" posted to the United Center's Facebook page, it seemed that legendary rock band Aerosmith would soon announce a tour with a stop in Chicago.

And at 8 a.m. Monday, the band made it official.

📺 24/7 Chicago news stream: Watch NBC 5 free wherever you are

" Breaking News " a video posted to the Aerosmith's website says, above the words "Peace Out" and "Aerosmith Farewell Tour with Special Guest The Black Crowes" posted underneath.

Shortly after the announcement, their website appeared to briefly crash. But a Tweet with tour and show information was posted.

"After 50 years, 10 world tours, and playing for over 100 million fans...It's time for one last go!" the band said.

PEACE OUT! After 50 years, 10 world tours, and playing for over 100 million fans... It's time for one last go! For more info visit: https://t.co/rsuutHrYmY pic.twitter.com/8HkmrQlIrn — Aerosmith (@Aerosmith) May 1, 2023

According to guitarist Joe Perry , '"It's about time."

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Perry believes the time to say goodbye is now, especially with every founding band member over the age of 70. Tyler, 75, is the oldest in the group.

“It’s kind of a chance to celebrate the 50 years we’ve been out here,” Perry said. “You never know how much longer everybody’s going to be healthy to do this. … It’s been a while since we’ve actually done a real tour. We did that run in Vegas, which was great. It was fun, but (we're) kind of anxious to get back on the road.“

Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter .

Over the years, Aerosmith, which formed in 1970, has collected four Grammys. The band broke boundaries intersecting rock and hip-hop with their epic collaboration with Run-DMC for “Walk This Way.”

Aerosmith performed the Super Bowl halftime show in 2001 and even had their own theme park attraction in 1999 at Disney World in Florida and later in Paris with the launch of the “Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith” ride.

“We’re opening up Pandora’s Box one last time to present our fans with the Peace Out tour,” Tyler said in a statement to The Associated Press. His “Pandora’s Box” reference calls out Aerosmith’s 1991 three-disc compilation album that covered the band’s output from the 1970s to the early 1980s.

“Be there or beware as we bring all the toys out of the attic. Get ready,” Tyler added.

The band said drummer Joey Kramer decided to not take part in the current dates on the upcoming tour. He’s still a part of the group, but the drummer has been on leave to “focus his attention on his family and health” since their Vegas residency last year. Drummer John Douglas will continue to play in his place.

Perry called Kramer their brother. The band said his “legendary presence behind the drum kit will be sorely missed.”

“It’s the final farewell tour, but I have a feeling it will go on for a while,” he said. “But I don’t know how many times we’ll be coming back to the same cities. It could very possibly be the last time.”

Aerosmith Tour Dates and Cities

Prior to revealing a list of tour dates, a Friday Facebook Post from the United Center gave Chicago Aerosmith fans some additional hope.

Monday, the United Center confirmed the news , saying the band was set to play at the venue Sept. 15.

According to the band, tickets to the general public go on sale via Ticketmaster Friday at 10 a.m.

The full list of 40 tour dates is below:

Sept. 2 -- Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Sept. 6 -- PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA

Sept. 9 -- UBS Arena, Elmont, NY

Sept. 12 -- Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON

Sept. 15 -- United Center, Chicago, IL

Sept. 18 -- Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI

Sept. 21 -- Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, OH

Sept. 24 -- PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC

Sept. 27 -- Capitol One Arena, Washington D.C.

Oct. 11 -- Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL

Oct. 14 -- State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

Oct. 17 -- Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

Oct. 20 -- FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, FL

Oct. 23 -- Moody Center, Austin, TX

Oct. 26 -- Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO

Oct. 29 - Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

Nov. 1 -- AT&T Arena, San Antonio, TX

Nov. 4 -- Bok Center, Tulsa, OK

Nov. 7 -- American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX

Nov. 10 -- Chi Health Center, Omaha, NE

Nov. 13 -- Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN

Nov. 16 -- T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, KS

Nov. 19 -- Ball Arena, Denver, CO

Nov. 22 -- Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT

Nov. 25 -- Moda Center, Portland, OR

Nov. 28 -- Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA

Dec. 1 -- Chase Center, San Francisco, CA

Dec. 4 -- Sap Center, San Jose, CA

Dec. 7 -- The Kia Forum, Los Angeles, CA

Dec. 10 -- Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

Dec. 28 -- Prudential Center, Newark NJ

Dec. 31 -- TD Garden, Boston, MA

Jan. 4 -- Heritage Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OH

Jan. 7 -- KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY

Jan. 10 -- Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

Jan. 13 -- Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, TN

Jan. 16 -- Keybank Center, Buffalo, NY

Jan. 19 -- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Jan. 23 -- Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH

Jan. 26 -- Bell Centre, Montreal, QC

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The B-52s to launch a US farewell tour this summer

• Published: Apr. 27, 2022, 8:11 a.m.

FILE - Kate Pierson, left, and Fred Schneider, of The B-52s, pose for a portrait in New York on June 21, 2018. The quirky dance-pop outfit The B-52s are hitting the road one last time for a final tour this summer that will roam from coast to coast. (Photo by Christopher Smith/Invision/AP, File) Christopher Smith/Invision/AP

• Associated Press entertainment staff

NEW YORK (AP) — The quirky dance-pop outfit The B-52s are hitting the road one last time for a final tour this summer that will roam from coast to coast.

“No one likes to throw a party more than we do, but after almost a half-century on the road, it’s time for one last blow-out,” said Fred Schneider, co-founder and singer for the Athens, Georgia-based band, in a statement.

The band burst onto the New Wave scene in 1979 with songs like “Rock Lobster” and cracked the pop charts in the late ‘80s with the party classics “Love Shack” and “Roam.”

Their North American farewell tour will visit 10 cities across the U.S., kicking off Aug. 22 in Seattle and ending Nov. 11 in Atlanta. Stops include Boston, Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington D.C. Supporting the band will be The Tubes or KC & The Sunshine Band.

Tickets are available at  The B-52s.com.

“Who knew what started as a way to have some fun and play music for our friends’ at house parties in Athens in 1977 would evolve into over 45 years of making music and touring the world. It’s been cosmic,” said co-founder Kate Pierson in a statement.

While the band may be saying goodbye from the road, the members are the subject of a documentary to be released in 2023 directed by Craig Johnson and produced by Fred Armisen.

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Farewell Tour USC Trojans Silk Touch Throw

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