Sir Rod Stewart is clarifying his comments.
In an interview with BBC Breakfast earlier this month, the 78-year-old musician revealed that after years of releasing rock music, he’s pivoting into the swing genre.
Host Charlie Stayt first mentioned that “rockstars are performing into incredible ages now,” and Rod responded, “I am actually stopping.”
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“I’m not retiring but I want to move on,” Rod continued. “I had great success with The Great American Songbook, and I’ve just done a swing album with Jools Holland, which is going to come out next year, so I want to go in that direction.”
He also added that he wants “to leave the rock ‘n’ roll stuff behind, for a while…Everything has to come to an end sooner or later.”
“I’m really looking forward to doing something else, especially singing with Jools’ band,” Rod said. “It borders on rock ‘n’ roll anyway, it’s just not ‘Maggie May’ and ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?’”
Many fans were confused by Rod‘s comments, and took them to mean that he was retiring completely from rock music.
However, Rod later took to Instagram to further clarify his comments.
“I’d like to clear up any confusion that I may have caused with my dear fans and the media. I shall never retire!” Rod wrote. “I was put on this earth to be a singer and will keep doing so for as long as the good Lord lets me. I’ll be playing the hits as advertised for the UK, US, South America, and Vegas and into 2024 but no retirement as such.”
He continued, “During recent interviews, I’ve mentioned my newest passion is big band/swing music and when we wrap this greatest hits tour, it’s something I’m very eager to share with you.”
“I could never turn my back on the songs that I’ve written and sung over the last six decades. They are like my children,” Rod wrote. “I created them and I love them. I’ll always come back to them, just like I did after The Great American Songbook series, which I shall boastfully add, sold 26 million albums!”
Rod concluded, “I look forward to seeing you on the road with the hits, and I can’t wait to introduce to you my new swing album next year.”
Did you know that Rod Stewart has one of the highest grossing Las Vegas residencies of all time?!