Steve Gadd to announce shock retirement from music?

Sad news for Gadd fans. Speculation had been rife that the American drummer will announce his retirement from music, at age 81, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 17/05/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a drummer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a drummer 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.

#ThankYouSteve

For a little while on Saturday evening, #ThankYouSteve 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 #ThankYouSteve.”
— @DesireePlum, 16 May 2026

“I thought Steve Gadd retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 16 May 2026

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