The Performers Of Our Youth Touring This Summer

These are the concerts you don't want to miss!

By
Published June 19, 2026
photo collage of 6 musicians touring in the summer of 2026
AARP (Getty Images, 6)

For me, there is no quicker mood boost than to turn my car radio onto an 80’s station and listen to songs from my youth. Although I may not be able to remember what I need at the grocery store, the lyrics to those tunes I used to listen to in high school and college come back to me without a thought. I find myself singing along, probably off-key, and suddenly, for those few minutes, I feel almost transported back in time.

Even better than listening to my favorite songs on the radio is the chance to hear them performed in person, surrounded by other fans feeling the same good vibes I am. Luckily, this summer, many of the best bands and solo artists from our youth are on tour.

Lionel Richie

Is there anyone who grew up in the 1980s who did NOT have Lionel Richie’s “Truly” as their senior prom song? I can still remember hearing that song in the background as I danced with my pastel blue tuxedo-clad date.

Richie, 76, rose to fame in the 1970s with the Motown Group, The Commodores. In 1981, he wrote and produced the song “Endless Love,” which he recorded as a duet with Diana Ross. Then, in 1982, Richie embarked on his solo career, and “Truly” was his first number-one single.

Richie’s Sing A Song All Night Long tour begins on June 24th and will perform in 26 cities. The setlist will include classic hits, and the iconic 70’s band Earth, Wind, and Fire will join Richie on the tour.

Rush

On their website, the Canadian rock group Rush describes themselves as “equal parts Led Zeppelin and King Crimson.” The group’s big break came with the release of their 1976 album 2112, which went platinum in Canada. In the 1980s, the band was especially prolific, releasing seven studio albums.

Rush's Fifty Something tour marks both their 50th anniversary and their first tour in over a decade. Joining co-founders Geddy Lee, 72 (vocals, bass) and Alex Lifeson, 72 (guitar) are Anika Nilles (drums) and Loren Gold (keyboards). This band will pay tribute to Rush’s original drummer, Neil Peart, who died in 2020, by celebrating his music and legacy.

Bruce Springsteen

The first time I went to my now-husband’s childhood home in New Jersey, I laughed hysterically at his idea of room décor. The walls of his bedroom just had posters of his favorite artist, Bruce Springsteen.

Springsteen, 74, began his career as a recording artist in the 1970s, but it was in the 1980s that he reached mega-popularity with hits like “Born in the U.S.A.” and “Hungry Heart.”

While my husband’s posters got left behind when we moved in together, his love for “The Boss” never waned. He has probably seen Springsteen in concert over three dozen times. Still, he never misses an opportunity to see him again.

Luckily for him, Springsteen, along with many of his original E Street bandmates, is currently performing in their Land of Hope & Dreams — American Tour.

Bon Jovi

Another one of New Jersey’s iconic bands is also touring this summer. Bon Jovi, led by singer Jon Bon Jovi, was formed in 1983 and released their self-titled debut album the following year. Three years later, they skyrocketed with the release of their third album, which included the hits “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name.”

The Bon Jovi Forever Tour will begin with a nine-night residency at New York’s Madison Square Garden. After that, the band will go to the UK and Ireland.

Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams was only 20 years old when he released his debut album. In 1983, “Straight from the Heart” became his first top ten hit in the United States. In 1991, he released “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You,” which is one of the best-selling singles of all time.

The Grammy award-winning Adams, 66, is still rocking out. He embarked on his Roll With The Punches Tour in 2025 but, due to demand, extended it into 2026, with Pat Benatar as the opener.

Rick Springfield

Like many people, I fell in love with Rick Springfield when he played Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital in the 1980’s. During his tenure on television, the fledgling musician had been working on the album, Working Class Dog. When a single from the album, “Jessie’s Girl,” became a hit, Springfield continued working on the soap opera while also touring with the band.

Though Dr. Drake is no longer on call at General Hospital, Springfield, 76 has continued to tour across the U.S. with his band. He also hosts the “Working Class DJ with Rick Springfield” weekly radio show on SiriusXM, 80’s on 8.

Melissa Etheridge

Melissa Etheridge’s debut album was released in 1988, but it would take several more years for her to gain mainstream popularity. In 1993, she released her breakthrough album, Yes I Am, which contained the hits “Come Through My Window” and “I’m the Only One.” 

Etheridge, 64, is performing this summer in her THE RISE TOUR and is also scheduled to join Wynonna Judd (of the ‘80’s country duo The Judds) for the Raised on Radio Tour on July 28, 2026, at Kettlehouse Amphitheater.

John Mellencamp

The song “Jack & Diane” lives rent-free in my mind, and whenever I hear it, I am transported back to being a teenager and driving around town with my best high school girlfriends.

Early in his career, Mellencamp was told that his name was too hard to market, so he released his music under the stage name John Cougar. (From 1983-1990, he performed as John Cougar Mellencamp and now goes by just Mellencamp.)

Mellencamp, 74, is described on his website as “the walking embodiment of heartland rock: passionate, plain-spoken and a self-proclaimed rebel.” For his Dancing Words Tour 2026, Mellencamp will perform his greatest hits.

Paul Simon

I can’t actually explain why, but whenever the song “You Can Call Me Al” comes on the radio, I just smile and immediately turn up the volume. It’s just such a feel-good song.

Singer-songwriter Paul Simon first became known in the 1960s as part of the folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel (with Art Garfunkel). Simon went on to have a successful career as a solo artist. His most acclaimed album, Graceland, was released in 1986 and included “You Can Call Me Al.”

Simon, 84, has extended his Quiet Celebration tour, which began in 2025 and continues into 2026.

Randi Mazzella is a freelance writer and journalist. Her work has appeared in numerous online and print publications The Washington Post, Next Avenue, Your Teen for Parents, SheKnows and New Jersey Family. She writes about a wide range of topics including parenting, mental health, wellness, pop-culture, teens, finance and midlife issues. She is a wife and mother of three children who inspire her every day. To read more of her work, go to randimazzella.com.