Rod Stewart clarifies shock announcement about quitting music

22 June 2023, 12:04

Rod Stewart isn't ready to retire from rock 'n' roll just yet. Picture: Alamy

He's one of rock music's most distinctive voices.

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So it was a major shock when Rod Stewart recently revealed in an interview that he'd be turning his back on the genre once and for all.

With a treasure chest of rock staples like 'Maggie May', 'Ooh La La', 'Do You Think I'm Sexy?', 'Sailing', 'Hot Legs' and more, fans were concerned they'd not hear them sung by Rod again.

During an interview alongside Boy George whilst promoting their upcoming tour together, Rod said: "I'm not retiring. But I want to move on."

"I had great success with The Great American Songbook, all-American standards, 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."

'I just want to leave all the rock 'n' roll stuff behind — for a while, maybe," he continued to the dismay of his adoring fans, some of which were panicking about the prospect of his upcoming tour being comprised of newer numbers.

But after suspicions swelled throughout social media, Rod has now moved to clarify his comments, tweeting that he won't be abandoning his rock classics.

Rod Stewart on stage in 1975. Picture: Alamy

Taking to Twitter to confirm what he meant in his recent interview, Rod wrote: "I shall never retire! I was put on this earth to be a singer and will keep doing so for as long as the good lord lets me."

The 'Baby Jane' singer reneged his comments saying he planned to stop performing his rock songs beyond his current tour.

Now he's confirmed he will keep playing his famous hits during his scheduled tours for 2023 and into 2024

"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," he wrote.

"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."

"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 ended his clarification by stating: "I look forward to seeing you on the road with all the hits, and I can't wait to introduce you to my new swing album next year."

1/3 A thread.

I’d like to clear up any confusion that I may have caused with my dear fans and the media. I shall never retire! I was put on this earth to be a singer and will keep doing so for as long as the good lord lets me.
— Sir Rod Stewart (@rodstewart) June 21, 2023

Sir Rod Stewart and Jools Holland have made a swing album together. (Photo by Ricky Vigil M / Justin E Palmer/GC Images). Picture: Getty

Rod returns to the road in June 2023, with dates scheduled for Bristol, Durham, Northampton, Plymouth, and Hull.

His tour - with Boy George in support - will culminate at Edinburgh Castle across two homecoming concerts, marking the first time in thirteen years Rod will perform there.

Talking about the tour, Rod gushed: "My favourite memories have been summer nights with a beer or two alongside the best fans in the world."

"I’m impatiently awaiting this summer playing at a variety of special venues – football, cricket and rugby stadiums, estates and castles! We’ll all be dancing under the stars."

To win tickets to see Rod Stewart and meet the icon backstage, click here.