Rod Stewart created quite a stir in a recent interview with the BBC when he said he wanted to “leave all the rock and roll stuff behind — for a while, maybe.” Now, the iconic singer is clarifying his comments.
In a statement shared on his social media channels, Sir Rod said, “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. I’ll be playing the hits as advertised for the UK, US, South America and Vegas and into 2024 but no retirement as such.”
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Stewart 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 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!”
He concluded, “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.”
Stewart’s previous remarks can be heard below. He said, in part, “I’m not retiring, but I want to move on to … 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 and roll stuff behind — for a while, maybe.”
‘Everything has to come to an end sooner or later’
Singer Rod Stewart has told #BBCBreakfast he’s giving up rock and roll as he prepares to go on tour with Boy Georgehttps://t.co/Y29oI6E5Pk pic.twitter.com/odrQmQkOlT
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) June 9, 2023
Rod Stewart: Classic Images