Herbie Hancock to announce shock retirement from music?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Washington
  • Last updated on

Hancock created a stir on Saturday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

Sad news for Hancock fans. Speculation had been rife that the American pianist best known for hit songs like Cantaloupe Island or Watermelon Man, is about to announce his retirement from music, at age 85, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 11/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a pianist isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a pianist-musician-composer just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouHerbie

For a little while on Saturday evening, #ThankYouHerbie was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Herbie Hancock was unlike any other pianist we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouHerbie”
— @universalObserver, 10 Jan 2026
“I thought Herbie Hancock retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 10 Jan 2026

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