Rock legend Rod Stewart will end his traditional high-energy rock and roll touring after his upcoming 2027 run, but he has no intention of hanging up his microphone for good. His wife, Penny Lancaster, cleared up persistent retirement rumors during an appearance on ITV’s Loose Women on Thursday, October 8. She explained that the 81-year-old singer plans to pivot toward other musical genres rather than exit the spotlight entirely.
Last month, Stewart sparked widespread concern among fans when he announced that his upcoming UK dates would mark his final “rock and roll tour.” The announcement followed a challenging period for the veteran performer. This period included a string of canceled shows last summer after he was spotted using an oxygen tank. Representatives later revealed that Stewart had been dealing with an underlying heart issue and underwent a routine coronary stent procedure to improve arterial blood flow, with doctors expressing satisfaction with his recovery.
Speaking to the Loose Women panel, Lancaster addressed the panic surrounding her husband’s future. “Everyone jumped to conclusions, but it is true, it’s his last rock and roll tour,” she said. When co-host Kaye Adams noted the emphasis on those specific words, Lancaster elaborated on the singer’s long-term mindset.
“Because he will be 82 next year and he’s always, well, for the last five years, he said, ‘I can’t go on singing deep in our sexy and hot legs forever and ever,’” Lancaster shared. She noted that while the high-octane stadium shows featuring his classic hits are coming to an end, Stewart’s passion for music remains undiminished.
“He loves The Great American Songbook, which was an incredible set of albums that he did, along with the jazz that he did just recently, with Jools Holland,” Lancaster said. “So he wants to rekindle his love for that music, and show everyone that his voice has got other areas it can stretch to.”
When asked if fans could still expect him to perform his classic tracks, Lancaster admitted she thinks he will find it difficult to resist the crowd’s energy entirely. She teased that while major rock tours will cease, occasional one-off appearances or themed medleys could still happen in the future, emphasizing: “He won’t ever retire. I’m like, come on, slow that man down. No, absolutely not.”
Stewart, who was knighted by the late Queen in 2016, has enjoyed a career spanning over six decades. He evolved from a gritty rhythm and blues frontman into one of the best-selling music artists of all time. As he prepares for his final major rock outing, his supporters can rest assured that the veteran entertainer intends to keep making music on his own terms.
