Rod Stewart announces he’s retiring from the road after ‘one final tour’ and six decades on stage
SIR Rod Stewart has announced he’s retiring from the road after more than sixty years on stage, and is going out with one final tour.
The 81-year-old crooner will head out on the road one last time next April, beginning his farewell at Dublin‘s 3Arena.
He said: “My dear friends, The time has come to say farewell to life on the road. After more than six decades, The Final Encore will most definitely be my last.
“I’ve been singing the music I love since I was 19 years old, and I’ve had the privilege of taking it around the world to all of you. It has given me a life beyond anything I could ever have imagined, and I hope I’ve given you some fond memories in return.
“So, may I take this opportunity to thank you for making this extraordinary life possible. I hope you’ll join me so I can thank you the best way I know how… with the music and one hell of a show. See you there.”
Support on his farewell tour on the UK and Ireland dates comes from Howard Jones, who is best known for his hits What Is Love?’ and ‘Things Can Only Get Better’. The support act for the European leg is yet to be revealed.
Rod’s team are promising a crowd-pleasing collection of his greatest hits including Maggie May, You Wear It Well, Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright), Hot Legs, Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?, and Young Turks.
Tickets for the tour will be available starting with the Fanclub presale tomorrow.
It will be followed by local presales and remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, 2 October. More information is available at rodstewart.com
Twice-inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (as a solo artist and with The Faces), Rod has sold more than 250 million records worldwide.
In August, he had a stent fitted in his heart after ill health forced him to cancel gigs in the States.
The op was a success, with his representative revealing at the time that he was recovering well at home.
Just days before he had his surgery, Rod became a grandfather for the sixth time after his daughter Ruby had her second child – a boy called Otis – with fiance Jake Kalick.
Rod is married to model Penny Lancaster and has eight children with five different women.
