Sir Rod Stewart stated that he wants to “leave all the rock ‘n’ roll stuff behind” and is excited to take his music in a new direction.
The singer-songwriter, who has had six number-one singles in the UK, including Baby Jane and Maggie May, has recorded swing tracks with the pianist and TV presenter for their forthcoming album.
It will be published the following year, following Sir Rod’s UK summer tour, which begins on June 24 at Home Park Stadium in Plymouth with Boy George and Culture Club as support acts.
‘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
In a pre-recorded interview on BBC Breakfast, broadcaster Charlie Stayt remarked, “Rockstars are now performing at astonishing ages.”
Sir Rod, 78 years old, said, “I am genuinely ceasing. Although I’m not retiring, I’d like to move on to… I’ve just completed a swing album with Jools Holland that will be released next year, so I’d like to continue in that direction.
“Therefore, I’d like to leave rock ‘n’ roll behind, at least temporarily… Eventually, all things must come to an end.”
Sir Rod acknowledged he was in a “good place” with his future plans.
He added, “I’m looking forward to doing something different, especially singing with Jools’ band, which borders on rock ‘n’ roll anyway; it’s just not Maggie May and Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?”
Sir Rod will perform at the Badminton Estate in Bristol, which is hosting a live event for the first time, as well as returning to Seat Unique Riverside in Durham and Sewell Group Craven Park in Hull for his summer tour dates.
On the 6th and 7th of July, Sir Rod will perform at Edinburgh Castle for the first time in thirteen years.
Sir Rod stated that he and Boy George, whose actual name is George O’Dowd, will attempt to collaborate on a composition.
“He’s going to come out and do Sailing with me, and I’m going to do Karma Chameleon,” he explained.
Boy George made a quip, “I’m going to come out dressed as a sailor.”
He added, “I’ll be audacious and say that (The) Killing Of Georgie is one of my finest films… I would adore to perform with you.”
Boy George elaborated on the significance of the song to him: “My mother purchased it for me as a child and placed it in my sock compartment in a brown paper bag to let me know she knew what was going on.
It was her way of saying, ‘I know what you are, I adore you, here’s a wonderful song’. Und natürlich adore ich dieses Lied, es ist ein sehr kraftvolles Lied.
Sir Rod stated that he was “of course” a Culture Club fan.
Brilliant, he said, “He (Boy George) just broke down so many barriers with the way he dressed, the hats, and everything else.”
English