Why Rod Stewart isn’t doing an Elton John

Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart has no plans of stopping from performing any time soon, but the 74-year-old rock icon may have to retire from rock ’n’ roll—and the tight leather pants and flashy outfits that go with it.

“I think I will always sing, but I can’t always do this. There’s got to come a time when I’m going to say, ‘Right, put away the tight trousers and all the funny clothes,’” the “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” singer related in a recent interview with The Sun.

Moving forward, the British singer hopes to focus on jazz and show tunes. He also plans to “do the Great American Songbook.”

Elton John

“In fact, I just had a meeting about doing jazz standards at the [Royal] Albert Hall,” he said. “It’s nearer than you think. But retirement? No. From doing rock ’n’ roll stuff? Yes.”

And unlike his longtime “frenemy” Elton John, Rod doesn’t see himself embarking on a 300-date farewell tour, should he decide to finally hang his boots. “I will just fade away, like the old soldier I am,” he said.—ALLAN POLICARPIO