Article Contributed by Shore Fire Media
Published on 2026-10-09
Today, Oscar and two-time GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop comes out of retirement to announce his Farewell Tour: 50th Anniversary of Careless, celebrating five decades of his landmark debut album and acclaimed songwriting career. Beginning March 13, 2027, with a sold-out show at Phoenix’s Musical Instrument Museum, the tour will feature support from American folk singer-songwriter David Wilcox, with Bishop sharing stories and performing his greatest hits alongside an all-star band. The U.S. run concludes August 21, 2027 with a hometown performance at San Diego’s historic Balboa Theatre. U.K. and Ireland dates follow in October 2027, with more U.S. shows to be announced.
2027 Stephen Bishop Farewell Tour: 50th Anniversary of Careless
U.S.
March 13 — Phoenix, AZ — Musical Instrument Museum (sold out during pre-sales)
April 3 — Skokie, IL — North Shore Center
April 8 — Kent, OH — Kent Stage
April 10 — Franklin, TN — Franklin Theatre
June 3 — Derry, NH — Tupelo Music Hall
June 5 — New London, CT — Garde Arts Center
June 10 — Newtown, CT — Edmond Town Hall
June 12 — Riverhead, NY — Suffolk Theater
June 17 — Elkton, MD — Elkton Music Hall
June 19 — Red Bank, NJ — The Vogel
August 14 — Beverly Hills, CA — Saban Theatre
August 21 — San Diego, CA — Balboa Theatre
U.K. & Ireland
October 21 — Dublin, Ireland — Vicar Street
October 23 — London, UK — Cadogan Hall
The announcement follows the release of the 50th anniversary vinyl release of his landmark debut album Careless (ft. Art Garfunkel, Eric Clapton, Chaka Khan), including Billboard Hot 100 hit “On and On” (covered on Keith Urban’s album Flow State) & two new bonus tracks. Remastered by Bernie Grundman (Prince, Joni Mitchell, Dr. Dre), it features a brand new full-color album cover and liner notes for the first time with unreleased photos.
Tonight, Bishop will celebrate the anniversary with a sold-out show at GRAMMY Museum®’s Clive Davis Theater in Los Angeles. The intimate event will include acoustic performances spanning his career, stories behind the songs, a conversation moderated by Liz Kamlet (aka "Liz the Music Manager"), and an audience Q&A. Special guests include Eagles songwriter Jack Tempchin, Marcus Eaton (“one of the best young singer-songwriters in America” – David Crosby), and longtime musical partner of Peter Tork (Monkees) and fixture of the Troubadour scene James Lee Stanley.
Originally released in 1976 via Universal Music Group, Careless established Bishop as one of the most distinctive voices of his generation. Remarkably, the album also featured contributions from legendary artists including Eric Clapton, who performed electric slide guitar on “Sinking in an Ocean of Tears” and the guitar solo on “Save It for a Rainy Day,” alongside Chaka Khanand Art Garfunkel — an extraordinary lineup for a debut release that helped define its enduring legacy. Eric Clapton and Art Garfunkel returned as guests on Bishop’s latest 2025 album THIMK, along with Graham Nash, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Jimmy Webb and many more.
The anniversary edition also includes two previously unreleased bonus tracks, “I Don’t Know You Anymore,” and “Back Again,” and has been remastered by legendary engineer Bernie Grundman (Prince, Joni Mitchell, Dr. Dre), who mastered the original 1976 release. Both songs provide a fuller picture of Bishop’s creative output during this pivotal moment in his career.
Paul McCartney's Buddy Holly luncheon (London, September 1976)
Elton John, Roger Daltrey, Eric Clapton, Stephen Bishop, members of Queen & more
This special anniversary edition presents the album as it has never been experienced before. While the original 1976 release was issued without a gatefold or booklet, this expanded vinyl edition features a newly designed gatefold package along with an extensive 20-page bookletthat includes rare and previously unseen photographs, archival material, Stephen’s first-ever liner notes, and his personal reflections. Drawing from his memories and writings from that era, he shares the stories, emotions, and creative process behind the songs, offering fans a deeper connection to the album.
For the first time, the album’s iconic black-and-white cover artwork has been newly colorized, giving fans a fresh visual perspective on a timeless image while preserving the spirit of the original release. Pressed as a limited edition confetti splatter vinyl, each record is uniquely finished, highlighting its collectible nature and celebrating the spirit of the original recording era with a modern visual touch.
The 50th anniversary edition is released through Life’s A Bish Records, under license from Universal Music Group, as a limited vinyl-only pressing. No digital or CD versions of this expanded edition are planned, making this a true collector’s release for fans and audiophiles alike.
ABOUT STEPHEN BISHOP
Renowned for timeless hits like “On and On,” “It Might Be You” (the theme from Tootsie), “Save It For a Rainy Day,” “Separate Lives” (the theme from White Nights), and “Animal House,” Bishop’s influence on music is undeniable. With over 650 songs written, 20 albums released, and more than 15 million records sold—plus an additional 100 million records sold by artists who have covered his work—his legacy spans generations. To date, his music has amassed over 6.1 billion streams.
Stephen’s compositions have been recorded by an impressive roster of artists, including Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Barbra Streisand, Beyoncé, Art Garfunkel, Pavarotti, Helen Reddy, Steve Perry (of Journey), Frida (of ABBA), Stephanie Mills, Patti Austin, Kenny Loggins, Johnny Mathis, Phoebe Snow, David Crosby, and The Four Tops, among many others. Since 1974, over 75 major recording artists have covered at least one of his songs.
His Oscar-nominated song, “Separate Lives” (recorded by Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin), topped the Billboard Charts at #1. Notably, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, and Art Garfunkel have all cited Stephen Bishop as one of their favorite singer-songwriters in their autobiographies.
FOLLOW STEPHEN BISHOP
