Radio and press simply repeated the marketing statements that accompanied the launch of the tour when they announced the events.

Then, every time that Prince was actually asked about it at personal appearances (press conferences, radio and television interviews) as the tour made its way around the US, he clarified that it was the last time he would play some of his hits 'for a while' in order to make room for some newer material. So that is why the fan sites reported 'for a while'.

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yeah, i remember in interviews last year, prince wasn't committal to saying "this is the last time EVER" about playing his old hits after the musicology tour. he just gave the impression that he was gonna put some of his old stuff on the shelf for a while.

Why would the media and marketing lie?

He will never get away from performing his "HITS". He'll still perform those hits until the day he dies.

fluid said:

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Marketing sells a line to attract concert attendees and rake in $$$

Media take the bait. It fills the papers which sell for $$$

Prince then 'clarifies' that it isn't quite as 'final' as it appears, leaving Prince to do the 'last chance to hear a hit' tour yet again, which brings in more $$$

and prince wasn't the first artist to pull this racket. acts are doing "retirement tours" and saying "never again" to playing certain songs, then a couple of years later, here they come again.