In the early 1980s, Naomi Judd and her daughter Wynonna formed the famous country music duo known as The Judds. Over the course of nearly a decade, The Judds released six studio albums and charted an impressive 14 #1 hits. They won five Grammy Awards and had eight albums certified gold or higher. However, at the height of their popularity in 1991, Naomi announced she had been diagnosed with Hepatitis C and would have to retire from performing. This led to The Judds embarking on a farewell tour in 1991 before officially disbanding.
Now, over 30 years later, Naomi and Wynonna reunited for one final concert billed as “The Final Tour.” The concert took place on October 28, 2022 at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY. So why did the Judds decide to reunite for one last farewell show after all these years? There are a few key reasons behind the Judds’ farewell concert.
Naomi’s New Health Issues
In early 2022, Naomi Judd revealed she was battling severe depression and anxiety. Then in April 2022, Naomi tragically died by suicide at the age of 76. Wynonna discussed her mother’s mental health struggles after her passing, noting that Naomi faced “a battle for many years” and “nobody understands it unless you’ve been there.” The loss of her mother clearly weighed heavily on Wynonna.
A farewell concert likely served as a means for Wynonna to honor her late mother’s legacy. It provided closure after the sudden loss and allowed Wynonna to pay tribute to Naomi’s musical gifts one last time.
Chance to Reunite Publicly
Even though The Judds stopped touring together in 1991, Naomi and Wynonna remained very close and continued to make public appearances over the years. In 2008, The Judds performed together at the Stagecoach Festival in California. In 2011, they performed at the CMA Awards and released a new single called “I Will Stand By You.”
However, the 2022 farewell concert provided a more formal reunion on a major stage. It allowed Naomi and Wynonna to reunite as artists and celebrate their musical legacy together with fans. Sadly, Naomi passed away just weeks after the concert was announced.
Honoring Their Legacy
The Judds enjoyed incredible success throughout the 1980s, becoming the most awarded country duo in history at the time. Their songs resonated with fans worldwide, and they blazed a trail for other family country acts.
A farewell concert provided the perfect opportunity to revisit their biggest hits and honor their lasting legacy. In an interview, Wynonna stated, “This is a celebration of the music that changed so many lives.” She wanted to recognize her mother’s work and thank fans for their loyalty over the decades.
Responding to Fan Demand
Despite going their separate ways professionally in the early 90s, The Judds remained immensely popular with country music fans. Their music continued gaining new audiences through streaming and digital downloads. A reunion tour had been discussed for years, and demand was clearly still very strong to see Naomi and Wynonna reunite.
In announcing the tour in April 2022, Wynonna said “it’s just life-changing to go out there together in front of all those crowds and lovely fans.” The Judds likely felt that the time was right to get back on stage and give fans what they’d been asking for – one more chance to see them sing together.
Cementing The Judds’ Legacy
The Judds solidified themselves as one of the most successful country duos ever during their 1980s heyday. Some key stats:
- 14 Billboard #1 hits
- Over 20 Top 10 hits
- 5 Grammy Awards
- 8 certified Gold or Platinum albums
However, they never got to fully take a final bow and enjoy one last major arena tour. The farewell concert provided that opportunity and cemented their legacy as country royalty.
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 1984 | Grammy – Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal |
| 1985 | Grammy – Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal |
| 1986 | Grammy – Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal |
| 1987 | Grammy – Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal |
| 1991 | Grammy – Best Country Collaboration with Vocals |
Providing Closure After Tragedy
When Naomi was forced into retirement in 1991 due to illness, it was devastating for both her and devoted fans. The Judds were still at the peak of their fame and career when Naomi’s health issues disrupted their trajectory.
Coming back together for a farewell tour over 30 years later provided a sense of closure after the pain of 1991. Both Naomi and Wynonna could celebrate their music and bond with fans from a happier place. Though bittersweet after Naomi’s passing, the concert brought their story full circle.
Passing the Torch to the Next Generation
The Judds farewell concert was billed as a celebration of “the music that spans three decades.” Along with their classic hits, the show included a special appearance from Wynonna’s daughter Grace. Grace sang “River of Time,” paying tribute to her late grandmother Naomi.
This passing of the torch moment embodied the family harmonies that made The Judds so beloved. It highlighted the enduring legacy of their music as it reaches new generations of country fans.
Financial Motivations
While celebrating their musical legacy was likely the primary motivation, the substantial financial incentive of a reunion tour can’t be ignored. Headlining arena shows can be extremely lucrative for heritage acts with devoted fan bases.
According to Pollstar’s rankings of top tours in 2022, The Judds: The Final Tour would have landed at #15 based on average box office gross per city. For just 10 shows, the tour potentially grossed over $11 million.
The Judds had a prime opportunity to capitalize on their music catalogue and feed fan demand. A farewell run provided a profitable victory lap.
Potential Gross Earnings of The Judds: The Final Tour
| # Shows | Average Gross Per Show | Total Gross Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | $1,100,000 | $11,000,000 |
One Final Goodbye
At its core, The Judds farewell concert represented a chance for Wynonna and Naomi to celebrate their family bond and musical gifts one last time. Given Naomi’s mental health struggles prior to her tragic death, the tour took on even greater meaning.
The Judds shared their lives and art with millions of fans over decades. This final concert allowed them to come full circle and bid an emotional goodbye on their own terms, closing the book on a storied career.
