Rod Stewart Clarifies Statement About Giving Up Rock

Rod Stewart took to Twitter to assure fans he's not retiring. During a recent interview with the BBC, Rod revealed, "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." Both the press and fans alike have been confused as to whether Rod is abandoning his rock catalogue for a new direction.

In an effort to dispell any rumors, Rod tweeted:

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, U.S., South America and Vegas and into 2024 but no retirement as such.

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. 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!

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.

Rod Stewart told us that during his early days, he never looked beyond getting onto the radio for the first time: ["I would've just been pleased with one hit. Y'know, that's what most of the bands are striving for now — just to get one hit, get on the radio — but in those days it was totally different, y'know? There wasn't so many bands about. It was a, more of a novelty than it is now."] SOUNDCUE (:11 OC: . . . it is now)