Farewell? Not So Fast: 7 Bands That Reunited After Their Goodbye Tours
Saying goodbye was hard for these seven bands that reunited after announcing a grand farewell tour for their fans. Okay, so maybe the goodbye wasn’t the hard part for some of these acts. Instead, it was the potential money to be made by getting the band back together for a reunion tour.
Regardless of how it happened, here are seven big rock and metal bands that returned after their farewell tours and how long it took each of them to reconsider.
Judas Priest
Year of Farewell Tour: 2011-12
Year Reunited: 2014
Length of Hiatus: Two years
What Happened: Judas Priest embarked on a 120-show Epitaph World Tour, which they promoted as their farewell tour. The tour faced challenges, including guitarist K.K. Downing’s departure and Rob Halford’s onstage mishap involving a motorcycle. Despite these setbacks, the band returned two years later with a new album, Redeemer of Souls, and a subsequent tour.
KISS
Year of Farewell Tour: 2000
Year Reunited: 2002
Length of Hiatus: Two years
What Happened: KISS’s farewell tour was marketed as the final chapter for the band, featuring all four original members. However, Paul Stanley quickly realized that saying goodbye to KISS wasn’t something he wanted to do—just to two members. The band would go on to perform sporadic shows and eventually launched The World Domination Tour in 2003. In 2019, they began their second farewell tour, the End of the Road Tour, which concluded in December 2023.
Motley Crue
Year of Farewell Tour: 2014-15
Year Reunited: 2019
Length of Hiatus: Four years
What Happened: Motley Crue declared The Final Tour in January 2014, signing a legally binding Cessation of Touring Agreement to ensure they wouldn’t tour again. However, the allure of a stadium tour in 2019 with Poison, Def Leppard, and Joan Jett proved too tempting. The band released a video of their contract being destroyed to announce their reunion, despite the previous commitment.
Nine Inch Nails
Year of Farewell Tour: 2009
Year Reunited: 2013
Length of Hiatus: Four years
What Happened: Initially dubbed the NIN 2009 tour, it was later renamed the Wave Goodbye tour, with Trent Reznor stating it would likely be their last for a while. However, he decided the tour’s conclusion didn’t feel right and added more shows, eventually leading to the band’s return in 2013 with the album Hesitation Marks.
Ozzy Osbourne
Year of Farewell Tour: 1992
Year Reunited: 1995
Length of Hiatus: Three years
What Happened: After being misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Ozzy Osbourne’s No More Tears tour transformed into the No More Tours tour. It was promoted as a farewell, but just three years later, he kicked off the Retirement Sucks tour in Nottingham, England, demonstrating that retirement was not his calling.
Scorpions
Year of Farewell Tour: 2010
Year Reunited: 2012
Length of Hiatus: Two years
What Happened: After supporting their album Sting in the Tail, Scorpions announced their retirement plans. However, due to the overwhelming response from fans, they reconsidered and continued touring, realizing that stepping away was harder than anticipated.
The Who
Year of Farewell Tour: 1982
Year Reunited: 1985
Length of Hiatus: Three years
What Happened: The Who’s farewell tour followed the release of their album It’s Hard, but they soon regrouped for Live Aid in 1985 and subsequently toured again in 1989 to celebrate their legacy, proving that the farewell was merely a pause in their storied career.
Conclusion
These seven bands exemplify the complexities of farewells in the music industry. While some may have intended to close the chapter on their careers, the allure of performing for fans and the potential for new opportunities often reignited their passion for music. Whether driven by nostalgia, fan demand, or financial incentives, these reunions remind us that in the world of rock and metal, goodbyes are often just temporary.
FAQs
1. Why do bands often reunite after announcing farewell tours?
Bands may reunite for various reasons, including fan demand, financial incentives, or a change of heart regarding their career and passion for music.
2. Are farewell tours always permanent?
No, farewell tours can sometimes be a marketing strategy rather than a definitive end, as seen with many bands that later come back for reunions.
3. How long do bands usually wait before reuniting?
The time frame varies significantly from band to band; some may wait a few years, while others may take decades before deciding to reunite.
4. Have any bands successfully stayed retired after a farewell tour?
While many bands have attempted to stay retired, very few have managed to avoid the temptation to reunite, as the desire to perform and connect with fans often outweighs the decision to remain inactive.
5. What impact do reunions have on a band’s legacy?
Reunions can rejuvenate a band’s legacy, introducing their music to new generations while allowing long-time fans to relive memorable experiences, but they can also lead to mixed feelings about the band’s original farewell.
