John Williams to announce shock retirement from music?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Washington
  • Last updated on

Williams created a stir on Thursday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.
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Sad news for Williams fans. Speculation had been rife that the American composer best known for the soundtracks to Indiana Jones or Star Wars, will announce his retirement from music, at age 93, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 16/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a composer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a composer-conductor-pianist 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.

#ThankYouJohn

For a little while on Thursday evening, #ThankYouJohn 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.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouJohn.”
— @DesireePlum, 15 Jan 2026
“Williams wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 15 Jan 2026

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