Rod Stewart Announces Retirement from Stage After Six Decades
The 81-year-old rocker will embark on his 'Final Encore' tour next year, marking the end of a storied career.
Rod Stewart, the iconic 81-year-old rock star, has announced his retirement from the stage, concluding a career that has spanned over six decades. Stewart revealed that his upcoming "The Final Encore" tour, scheduled for next year, will be his last.
"After much deliberation and sadness I have to announce that next year will be my last tour forever ever," Stewart stated in a video message. "This will be the last rock and roll tour." He expressed gratitude to his fans, saying, "So I want to thank you for everything you have given me and hopefully I’ve given you something in return."
The 21-date European tour is set to commence in Dublin on April 23 and conclude in Hannover, Germany, on July 24. The tour will include stops in the UK, with concerts planned for Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, and London. Howard Jones, known for his 1980s hits, will join Stewart as the support act for the UK and Ireland dates.
Stewart's decision to retire follows recent health challenges. He underwent heart surgery last month to address a blockage caused by an "underlying heart issue" that doctors discovered. This surgery led to the cancellation of several dates on his "One Last Time" farewell tour earlier this year. His wife, Penny Lancaster, confirmed his recovery, stating he would "come back stronger than ever."
Following the surgery, Stewart's spokesman assured fans that he was "doing very well and has returned to his normal daily activities." However, he was advised by doctors to take four weeks to recuperate and regain full fitness before returning to performing.
Stewart, who began his musical journey in the 1960s with The Jeff Beck Group and later The Faces, has achieved significant success as a solo artist with 25 UK Top 10 singles, including six number-one hits such as "You Wear It Well," "Sailing," and "Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?"
Tickets for "The Final Encore" tour are currently available through a fan club presale, with general release scheduled for October 2. Stewart shared his excitement for the upcoming shows, urging fans to secure their tickets: "Come and see me on my One Last Time Tour for one more round of rock ‘n’ roll. I’m really looking forward to it. Get your tickets now with link in the bio."
Recently, Stewart and his wife, Penny Lancaster, were seen enjoying a night out at Gordon Ramsay's Lucky Cat restaurant, accompanied by American singer-songwriter Richard Marx and his wife, Daisy Fuentes. Lancaster, 55, was photographed with her arm around her husband, 81, as they shared a laugh during their outing.