After more than six decades establishing himself as a legend in the wide world of rock’n’roll, Rod Stewart has announced that he’ll be taking things in a whole new direction.
The British music star was chatting to host of BBC Breakfast, Charlie Stayt, when he made the revelation in response to a comment about how “rock stars are performing into incredible ages now.”
“I am actually stopping,” Stewart declared, before going on to share that “I’m not retiring, but I want to move on.”
He noted that he’d enjoyed “great success” with his album, It Had to Be You: The Great American Songbook, and that he’d “just done a swing album with Jools Holland” that is set to release in 2024.
“So,” he said, “I want to go in that direction.”
The 78 year old had more to say on the matter, offering more in the way of an explanation to fans who may still be struggling to come to terms with his decision when he said, “I just want to leave all the rock’n’roll stuff behind. For a while, maybe.
“Everything has to come to an end sooner or later.”
Stewart, who was joined by Boy George for the interview ahead of their tour together, also shed some light into his immediate plans after his 2023 tour, telling Stayt that he was “really looking forward to doing something else, especially singing with Jools’ band.”
“It borders on rock‘n’roll anyway,” he noted, “it’s just not ‘Maggie May’ and ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?’”
‘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
And while some fans of the singer weren’t immediately onboard with the change of tune, others were supportive, taking to social media to share their well wishes ahead of Stewart’s new venture.
“Good for him – I loved the American Songbook album,” a fan wrote.
“Something to look forward to- Love them both,” another shared.
One user took the opportunity to reflect on Stewart’s career so far, writing, “he put on AMAZING shows! Saw him first in 1975, and three others before 2010. He really could blow!!!”
And another followed suit, telling the others that “I would HAPPILY hit a Rod Stewart convert just to hear him play his Great American Songbook tracks. Just loved it when he did those tunes. I like all of it! Look forward to the swing album, too! Music!”
Images: BBC Breakfast / Twitter
This article first appeared on Over60.