After more than three and a half decades of captivating audiences with his stand-up comedy, Lewis Black is set to bid farewell to his touring days. Black, who has been a fixture on the comedy circuit since the 1980s, announced his retirement from touring with the launch of his final tour, ‘Goodbye Yeller Brick Road.’ This grand finale is scheduled to span across North America and Europe from January 2024 through 2025.
The announcement of Black’s retirement tour comes as a significant moment in his career, marking the end of an era for the comedian who has been a beloved figure in the stand-up community. Tickets for the tour are set to go on sale on November 17, with a pre-sale for his official fan club starting earlier. The tour dates for the upcoming months, extending through May, have been released, with additional dates expected to be announced later.
As Black transitions away from the rigorous schedule of performing hundreds of live shows annually, he plans to focus his energies on other creative pursuits. These include writing a new play and a book, as well as expanding his podcast, ‘Rantcast.’ While he may be stepping back from regular touring, Black, at 75, does not rule out occasional stage performances in the future.
Lewis Black Comments on Retiring From Touring
In a candid conversation with Deadline, Black shared insights into his decision to retire from touring. He humorously noted that his announcement of retirement had been met with skepticism initially, as many couldn’t fathom why he would leave such a demanding yet fulfilling career. Black reflected on the immense joy and myriad opportunities that touring has brought him over the years, acknowledging the difficulty of leaving the road behind. He emphasized that his retirement is specifically from touring, as he looks forward to exploring other creative avenues.
Black’s journey in comedy began later in his life, with his career taking off in his 40s. Initially starting as a playwright, he never anticipated the level of success he would achieve in stand-up comedy. He attributes his longevity in the industry to his disciplined lifestyle and the structure provided by his tour bus.
In addition to his final tour, Black plans to work on a special centered around his last tour, reflecting on life in satirical times, and also hopes to host a travel show, showcasing his favorite places in the U.S.
Black’s extensive career includes numerous specials for HBO, Comedy Central, Showtime, and Epix, along with eight critically acclaimed comedy albums. He is the longest-running contributor on Comedy Central’s ‘The Daily Show’ and has published three bestsellers and over 40 plays. His acting credits include roles in films and TV shows such as ‘Inside Out 2,’ ‘Accepted,’ ‘Man of the Year,’ and ‘Unaccompanied Minors.’
