Poor John Hinckley Jr.’s Music Gigs Keep Getting Canceled

John Hinckley Jr., the man who once tried to woo Jodie Foster by shooting President Ronald Reagan, is now trying to serenade the world with his acoustic guitar.

But much like his initial claim to fame, this new chapter isn’t going exactly as planned.

Hinckley’s ambitious Redemption Tour has been plagued by a seemingly endless series of canceled gigs, proving that even a heartfelt setlist can’t erase a complicated past.

Back in April 2024, Hinckley’s plans for a New York City concert were dashed before they even got off the ground. He tweeted:

“My New York City concert has been canceled,”

leaving followers to wonder if the Big Apple wasn’t ready for his blend of peace, love, and indie folk.

The announcement had barely gone live on Eventbrite before someone hit the panic button.

Whether it was the venue balking at the inevitable backlash or Eventbrite deciding they weren’t ready to become the go-to platform for controversial acts, one thing was clear: New York was not happening.

Fast forward to November 26, and Hinckley had high hopes for a Newport News, Virginia show.

This tweet was sent with the enthusiasm of a high school garage band landing its first gig. But the Redemption Tour struck another sour note this past week when Hinckley followed up with:

It’s unclear what led to the cancellation—perhaps the “address to be announced” was never actually finalized, or maybe the venue decided it didn’t want its name attached to history’s most infamous open mic night.

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Either way, Hinckley’s concert plans are beginning to feel like an elaborate episode of “Punk’d.”

But Hinckley’s creative output doesn’t stop at music. In a surprising twist, he’s also turned to painting—specifically, cat portraits.

His artwork, which he sells on eBay for prices ranging from $850 to $5,000, has found an unexpected audience.

Despite his struggles, Hinckley remains active on social media, promoting his music and his message of nonviolence.

He’s tweeted sentiments like “Give peace a chance,” though his Redemption Tour cancellations suggest that venues aren’t quite ready to do the same.

For now, Hinckley’s performances seem limited to his living room, where his cat remains his most loyal (and possibly only) audience member.