Eastern Connecticut Music Legend David Foster To Retire

MANSFIELD/UNCASVILLE, CT — David Foster, the former Shaboo Inn owner, Mohegan Sun All-Stars founder and front man and musical icon in eastern Connecticut for more than a half-century, will be singing to his fans for the last time on Dec. 20 in Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den after his retirement was announced Tuesday due to health issues.

Foster helped form Mohegan Suns first and only "house band," David Foster & The Mohegan Sun All-Stars, a group that has performed for more than 20 years. The band was inducted into the Wolf Den Hall of Fame in 2015.

For decades, Foster, owner of Shaboo Productions, has produced many fundraising concerts to support local nonprofit organizations. He not only gave his voice and band but showcased many notable entertainers that delighted audiences while raising funds for community groups.

(Courtesy of Bruce John)

In the 1970s into the 1980s, music fans jammed their way into the Shaboo Inn in Mansfield to see both local and frontline acts brought to the venue by Foster. Most recently, he turned to Mohegan as a regular act.

"David Foster has long been part of Mohegan’s entertainment family and will be forever part of our history," states Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment’s president of sports and entertainment, Tom Cantone. "He helped put Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den on the map and was our first and only house band to play in the venue over a span of two decades. We will be forever grateful for the magic he and his band created on stage for all to enjoy and remember forever."

Bruce John, Foster's Shaboo business partner, said on WILI radio Tuesday, it was with a "heavy heart" that he announced Foster's retirement. He said Foster has a "personal health" issue he is choosing not to talk about in public. John said he agreed to make the announcement as a friend.

John, fighting back tears, said on the radio of Foster's philanthropy, "his benevolence is beyond reproach."

See the entire John interview here.

John pointed out on the that Foster's bands opened for acts like BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

John said the farewell show is tentatively slated for 8 p.m.