Introduction:
At an hour when most of the world was still asleep, music legend Sir Cliff Richard was already wide awake in London, speaking with warmth, humor, and unmistakable enthusiasm. After more than a decade away, the iconic performer—whose career has stretched across continents and generations—confirmed that he is finally returning to Australian shores. For fans who have waited twelve long years, this is more than a tour announcement; it is the homecoming of a man whose songs became milestones in their own lives.
Cliff began the conversation with a gentle tease, saying he felt he had “ignored” Australia for too long. It wasn’t intentional, he explained—simply the reality of a career that once sent him and The Shadows traveling endlessly across the world. “The world is large,” he laughed, recalling tours that swept through Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Southeast Asia, and of course Australia. “I was determined to do it again,” he said, and this determination is exactly what makes his return feel so meaningful.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Cliff’s announcement is his age—84 now, and poised to be 85 when the tour begins. Yet the man on screen looked nowhere close to slowing down. Asked where he finds the energy to continue performing at such a high level, Cliff remained humble. “I guess I’m one of these lucky people,” he said. A lifetime of good health, aside from a brief hospital visit to have his gallbladder removed, has kept him moving forward. But luck is not the entire story. Cliff is disciplined, committed, and intentional about caring for his voice and body. “You do have to look after yourself,” he noted. “I must be doing something right.”
One charming moment came when he shared a memory of his dear friend, the late Olivia Newton-John. She once gave him a birthday gift he still treasures: a CD of her vocal coach leading a series of warm-up exercises. Cliff laughed as he described the unglamorous sounds—“hello and goodbye”—but emphasized how vital they are to maintaining his voice. Before every performance and every recording session, he practices them for at least half an hour.
As for the “Can’t Stop Me Now” tour itself, Cliff hinted at a thoughtful blend of classics and personal favorites. Fans can expect timeless hits like Summer Holiday, Living Doll, and The Young Ones, but also the music he feels most connected to—songs from the post-1970s era, including Devil Woman and We Don’t Talk Anymore. Since it has been so long since he performed in Australia, he admits he is crossing his fingers that the song list resonates with local audiences. But with a catalog that has shaped popular music for decades, it is difficult to imagine otherwise.
As the interview wrapped up, Cliff offered a warm promise: he looks forward not only to seeing his Australian fans again, but to reconnecting with familiar faces on the news couch. For a performer who has given so much of himself to the world, this tour feels like a celebration—of longevity, of resilience, and of music that simply refuses to fade.