Queen’s era of massive, globe-spanning tours is coming to a close, according to those closest to the band, with health and age making large-scale touring no longer realistic. Anita Dobson, wife of guitarist Brian May, told the Mirror that fans shouldn’t expect the band to take on another world tour. She emphasized that while “little bits and bobs” may still happen, the long, demanding runs that once defined Queen’s live presence are no longer in the cards, adding simply: “We are all getting old.”
Her comments reflect the growing list of health challenges May has faced publicly. Now 78, the guitarist recently suffered a minor stroke that briefly left him unable to use his left arm, a frightening setback for a musician so defined by his ability to play with precision. Though he has regained enough movement to perform again, it follows a series of serious medical issues: a “small” heart attack in 2020 that required the placement of three stents, severe sciatica, medication complications, a torn muscle and cataract surgery. Each event has taken its toll on May’s ability to endure the physical strain of extended touring.
Drummer Roger Taylor has offered a similar perspective. Speaking to Rolling Stone earlier, he said Queen is not officially “done,” and that there won’t be a grand farewell tour — “because it never is, is it?” — but he acknowledged that the era of dramatic, globe-circling runs is behind them. Taylor suggested the band might one day “rest forever,” yet for now remains open to performing in ways that don’t require the punishing pace of traditional touring.
Despite stepping back from world tours, Queen isn’t disappearing from the live landscape. Conversations have reportedly surfaced about short engagements, special events or tech-driven concepts inspired by virtual productions that other legacy artists are exploring. These alternative formats could allow Queen’s music to reach audiences without demanding the physical endurance of a months-long tour.
For fans, this shift marks the end of a defining chapter. Queen may never again crisscross continents the way they once did, but the band’s touring legacy — from Live Aid to their modern stadium resurgence with Adam Lambert — remains one of rock’s greatest stories. What comes next will be smaller, more careful, and perhaps more intimate, but still built on the same spirit that made Queen a live force for over 50 years.
