End of an era: Five legendary 1970s rock bands take their final bow in 2025

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As a dedicated ’70s rock music enthusiast, it’s an undeniable truth that the legendary bands and artists who defined that era will eventually hang up their guitars. This year, we’re witnessing a wave of farewell tours, and for many iconic rockers, 2025 might just be our final chance to rock out with the greats from the golden age of rock music.

Absolutely, numerous individuals persist with resilience and energy. Recently, we witnessed Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood performing together at Glastonbury. The Rolling Stones are embarking on another tour, meanwhile, in Las Vegas, Scorpions are commemorating their 60th anniversary with a residency next month at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.

In 2025, several iconic 1970s rock bands will be winding down their live performances as they reach the end of their careers. These legendary groups are currently touring and preparing for final shows, but it’s possible that some might continue performing into 2026. However, there’s always a chance that one or two could find a way to keep playing a few more concerts.

Five top 1970s rock bands taking their final bow in 2025

Gang Of Four

This classic post-punk band, established in 1976, is currently on their “The Long Goodbye” tour. Regrettably, reuniting the original members from the ’70s is no longer an option. However, the tour roster does feature the two remaining members, Jon King and Hugo Burnham, which is the best we can hope for at this point.

Thus far, the tour has been a success. Each performance features two sets, with the initial set highlighting their debut album titled “Entertainment“. The subsequent set is filled with their most popular tracks. Being an impactful band, they offer one of the final opportunities to witness them live on stage.

Jeff Lynne’s ELO

It’s crucial to identify Jeff Lynne’s ELO specifically, as it sets apart various iterations of the band, which was established initially in 1970. Despite the fact that Lynne has been the consistent member over recent times, his version essentially feels like the genuine group to me. He has managed to gather his ELO musicians for what seems to be the final series of concerts.

The band has only three concerts left: two this week in Manchester and their final performance, a massive outdoor concert at Hyde Park, London, on July 13. Lynne joined the group last weekend in Birmingham despite a broken hand. This injury, sustained in a recent taxi accident in London, forced him to relinquish his guitar duties and perform solely as a vocalist.

With or without him playing the London final date looks set to be an emotional night. 

Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath

Over the weekend at Back to the Beginning concert in Birmingham, Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath evoked powerful feelings as they performed. It had been 20 years since the original band members played together in such a setting. The event boasted an impressive roster of bands including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, and Slayer. This gathering was significant because it signified Ozzy Osbourne’s last live performance, which he concluded with panache.

During the concert, Ozzy Osbourne performed a brief five-song solo set from a grand gothic chair on stage. After that, Black Sabbath band members joined him for four of their most popular songs, culminating in “Paranoid” to conclude both the event and Ozzy’s live performances. It was an emotional yet unforgettable farewell.

The Who

Despite scheduling additional performances across Europe, they’ve declared that their North American shows, scheduled for August and September this year on the The Song Is Over tour, mark their final concerts in North America. Fans can expect a mix of hits from the 1960s and 1970s, along with new tunes designed to delight the audience.

READ MORE: Sammy Hagar almost single-handedly ruins Black Sabbath farewell concert

The performance is expected to be quite unforgettable since Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend are gearing up for the show, although Keith Moon and John Entwistle won’t be there. They’ve managed to deliver fantastic live shows in their absence. However, it’s uncertain if Zak Starkey will join them on drums at this moment. But, you never know what might happen!

Eagles

It wasn’t until the unthinkable happened (hell freezing over) that these musicians thought they would never reunite. However, things have become more amicable over time. After decades in the music industry and several separations, with occasional legal disputes, they are ready to perform together again. The band has been on their “Long Goodbye” tour for some time now.

The grand finale is approaching as the band will perform eight shows towards the end of this year. These performances are scheduled at The Sphere in Las Vegas from October to November 2025. It appears that for the iconic song “Hotel California“, fans can indeed depart, but not until the final show on November 8, 2025.

Near misses

It’s likely that some readers might think of other bands or artists who should have been included in the list. I had a few close calls when compiling it. For instance, Foreigner was initially planned for a farewell tour in 2022, but they’ve since decided against disbanding and are still performing instead.

Uriah Heep is wrapping up their activities; they finished the UK part of ‘The Magician’s Farewell’ tour this year. However, they have more legs and dates scheduled for the next few years, making it uncertain when they will ultimately disband.

Initially, REO Speedwagon was scheduled to perform their last show on January 1, 2025, making them eligible for the 2025 wrap-up list. However, unfortunate events unfolded earlier than expected, and the band disbanded following their final shows in December 2024.

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2025-07-08 00:00