Rod Stewart announces end of a era as he makes a huge change to his live shows

09 June 2023 , 17:25

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Rod's rock 'n' roll days are coming to an end (Image: Getty Images)

Rod Stewart may belt out Young Turks but the This Old Heart of Mine singer admits he is going to ease up on his high energy shows.

As the 78-year-old performer is sailing towards his ninth decade he insisted “everything has to come to an end sooner or later”.

Sir Rod is preparing to go on tour with Boy George this summer, but after that any future concerts are likely to feature him backed with a big band.

BBC Breakfast host Charlie Stayt commented that “rock stars are performing into incredible ages now”.

But Rod said: “I am actually stopping. I’m not retiring but I want to move on.

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Rod is about to tour with Boy George (PA)

“You know I had great success with the Great American Songbook, all American standards. And I have just done an album with Jools Holland, which is going to come out next year, so I want to go in that direction.

“I’m really looking forward to doing ­something else, you know, especially singing with Jools and his band.

“It borders on rock ‘n’ roll anyway, it’s just not Maggie May and Do Ya Think I’m Sexy.”

Rod’s decision to slow things down follows on from Sir Elton John winding up touring this summer.

But before he thinks about stopping, Rod, who has had six No1 hits in the UK charts including Baby Jane and Maggie May, has a UK summer tour which kicks off in Plymouth on June 24 with support act Boy George and Culture Club.

Rod onstage with The Faces in 1972 (Mirrorpix)

Rod appeared on The One Show this month, forcing them to ­apologise, after swearing as he insisted he was fit enough to be on the road.

At the time, Rod said: “I don’t need a break because I’m not fit. I’m really fit and I can do it.”

The group moved on to discuss outfit changes during shows.

Sir Rod continued: “I change because I want to entertain. I’ve had critics say, ‘He went off to have a rest because he was tired’.

“No, I was sweating my b******s off.” Host Roman Kemp then apologised for the language, with Boy George laughing at what had happened.

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Rod’s tour will culminate in two shows at Edinburgh Castle on July 6 and 7.

Sir Rod told BBC Breakfast he and Boy George will “try and do a song together”.

Mark Jefferies