Amid Parkinson’s Diagnosis, Johnny Lee Announces Farewell Tour

Farewell tours seem to come and go these days, and whether they’re truly a farewell tour or just an excuse to sell tickets is usually up for interpretation. But diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and now at the age of 76, this may be the last time you get to see this country legend perform live.

Johnny Lee was one of country music’s biggest stars in the early 80’s, amassing five #1 hits, twelve Top 10’s, and was the singer of one of the era’s most iconic songs, “Lookin’ For Love” made famous by the movie Urban Cowboy. The movie was inspired and filmed at the club of Johnny Lee’s good friend, Mickey Gilley, who he toured with often later in life. The two defined the Urban Cowboy era in country music.

“The good Lord has given me a wonderful life and the absolute most loyal fans in the world,” Johnny says. “The music and fans have meant everything to me. Over the last couple of years, Parkinson’s has been a pain in the…butt. This is a big announcement and one I am not making easily. So come on out and join us for a night of music and memories as we kick off the ‘Hey Bartender, Last Call: The Farewell Tour.’ This isn’t the end…this is only the right now.”

The majority of dates are centered in Texas where Johnny Lee is from, with a few more in various places where Johnny Lee has kept a following in recent years, along with multiple stints at the Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre in Branson where Johnny Lee has performed often in recent years.

Like so many older stars, Johnny Lee got edged out of country as his career matured. By the time the “Class of ’89” showed up with artists like Garth Brooks and Clint Black, Lee could no longer be found on the charts. A few years ago when being interviewed, Johnny Lee let his opinions be known about modern country music.

I don’t even listen to that crap,” Johnny Lee said. “People that like guys like me and Mickey Gilley, and Conway Twitty or anybody like that, George Jones, I feel like they got the music taken away from them, with them not having a voice in it.”

Johnny Lee is a last of the breed for sure.



Hey Bartender, Last Call: The Farewell Tour Dates:

FEB 09 – Main Street Crossing / Tomball, Texas
FEB 10 – Silver Spur Gala – Museum of Natural Science / Houston, Texas
FEB 11 – Moonlight Inn / French Settlement, La.
FEB 13 – Cactus Theater / Lubbock, Texas
FEB 15 – The Liberty / Roswell, N.M.
FEB 16 – The Hitching Post / Apache Junction, Ariz.
FEB 17 – Agua Caliente Casino / Rancho Mirage, Calif. (with Crystal Gayle)
FEB 18 – Mazatzal Casino / Payson, Ariz.
MAR 04 – 11th Street Cowboy Bar / Bandera, Texas
APR 15 – The Texan Theater / Cleveland, Texas
APR 16 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
APR 23 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
APR 30 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
MAY 07 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
MAY 14 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
MAY 17 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
MAY 27 – Real Life Amphitheater / Selma, Texas (with T.G. Sheppard, Moe Bandy, Joe Stampley, Janie Fricke, and Moore & Moore)
MAY 28 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
JUN 24 – Liberty Showcase Theater / Liberty, N.C.
SEP 03 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
SEP 07 – Tackle Box / Chico, Calif.
SEP 08 – Eagle Mountain Casino / Porterville, Calif. (with Crystal Gayle)
SEP 10 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
SEP 17 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
SEP 24 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
OCT 01 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
OCT 08 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
OCT 15 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
OCT 22 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
OCT 29 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
DEC 03 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
DEC 10 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.
DEC 17 – Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre / Branson, Mo.

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