« You know, musicians never die. They just decompose. So I’m on may way. »
That’s John McLaughlin’s way of explaining his decision to retire from touring as he prepares for the start of his final North American run, The Meeting of the Spirits Tour with his band the 4th Dimension that begins Nov. 1 in Buffalo. McLaughlin isn’t quitting music, mind you; He just released a new album, Live @ Ronnie Scott’s. But the Mahavishnu Orchestra mastermind and band member for Miles Davis and Tony Williams Lifetime says simple aging has made it time to put the suitcases away.
« God bless mother; I inherited music from her but I also inherited arthritis, so it’s creeping up on me, » McLaughlin tells Billboard. « I think one of the most catastrophic things that could happen would be to go on tour and have a really bad hair day where I’m not really able to play. That’s a nightmare for me. I don’t want to get confronted with that situation, so I told the guys in the band, and some months ago, that this is the goodbye tour. » The guitar virtuoso adds that it’s also appropriate that he take his final touring bows in North America.
John, Your physical presence on stage will be missed, but your music and spirit remain. Thank you for all you have given us. May all beings know happiness, may all beings be free from suffering.
An amazing bravura performance at the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival last night! Thank you for rebooting the Mahavisnu Orchestra material! Stellar under the stars and up through them.
Godspeed with the remaining tour dates. I highly advise anyone who appreciates virtuoso music and soaring spirits to not miss this tour.
Dear John
How come you haven’t included Scandinavia in your farewell tour? We miss you in Copenhagen
Dear John McLaughlin,
You have been a music hero of mine for 44 years after I first heard the live performance of « Between Nothingness and Eternity. »
I am a piano player, and soon learned that I needed to expand from my classical and blues roots to explore this new (to me) menu of technical, musical and artistic proficiency.
My mind was blown, and I know now I wasn’t alone in that experience of hearing you for the first time.
So last July, my wife purchased a birthday present for me – and us – to hear you play in Austin yeasterday (November 30), and not only did you exceed my expectations, so did Jimmy Herring! And, you played Trilogy, which was the piece which drastically changed what I believed was humanly possible to play! All the musicians, truly, put on an intense and beautiful performance, and I am so very grateful I got to see you live (for the very first time!) before you retired from touring.
Sincere thanks and gratitude, and I will be looking out for your new releases to add to my dozen or so albums of yours!
Dear John, sending you a warm ‘Thank You’ for the musical gifts that you have channelled to bring joy, reflection, and hope to the planet through your amazing music and live performances. I attended Remember Shakti (with Srinivas) in Central Park NY 2001, the trio with Gurtu and Di Piazza at Sydney Opera House and later with the Five Peace band – and of course, Passion Grace and Fire (Steve Morse was there too); each, an inspiring performance. I was 18 when I heard Extrapolation…
Wishing you all the best.
Dear Mr. John McLaughlin, Please come to Toronto! Lets call it a 45th anniversary Victory Lap tour.
My friends and I experienced the original Mahavishnu Orchestra at UofT Convocation Hall and, as my friend Ken Harman shares, you were a guitarist that filled some of the void left by the death of Jimi Hendrix only two years earlier.
Jazz Festival in July would be perfect! We’ll be on the lookout for your victory lap retirement
The last concert you had here in Oslo (2016) was one of the best performances I have ever heard and seen! I have followed you and enjoyed your music since 1969, and you have made me a richer and happier human being! Your spirit and philosophy for life as an important part of this. I wish you all the best for the coming years! Thank you for you and your music, John!