Despite recently marking his 81st birthday, legendary rocker Rod Stewart insists he maintains a surprising level of physical readiness, even claiming he can sprint 100 meters in under 20 seconds.
Stewart, currently on his “One Last Time” farewell tour, which features extensive costume changes, addressed a common perception that he might be resting between performances. “I get criticised: ‘He’s gone off stage, and he’s having a rest’,” Stewart stated. “Having a rest? I’ll have you know I can run 100 meters in 19 seconds!”
A Memorable Hollywood Bowl Farewell
The iconic singer recently concluded a performance at the renowned Hollywood Bowl, his fourteenth appearance at the Los Angeles venue. He expressed his intention to make the most of his final show there, telling the audience, “This is my last time here, so let’s have a party tonight… I’ve got to milk it.” Following one of his signature elaborate costume changes, Stewart reappeared in a striking red suit, quipping about his sartorial choices. “So, I’m wearing a red suit now. Men at my age should know better. But I don’t care,” he remarked.
Reflecting on a Storied Career and Future Music
As the tour approaches its conclusion with dates scheduled for Europe and the UK in 2027, Stewart is beginning to feel nostalgic about the stages that have defined his career.
Significant Venues and Performances
Stewart reflected on memorable performance locations, stating, “There have been so many but you never forget the first.” He recalled formative experiences, including a weekly residency at London’s Marquee Club with Long John Baldry’s band. He also highlighted the immense scale of his New Year’s Eve 1994 performance on Copacabana Beach, where he played for an estimated 3.5 million people, calling it “definitely a memorable one!” Other favored venues include the intimate setting of the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and for an Englishman, the significance of Wembley Stadium and headlining Glastonbury are also noted as particularly memorable.
New Music on the Horizon
While touring may be winding down, Stewart has a significant amount of new music in development. This includes a forthcoming pop album, a country music collection, and an anticipated album with his former band, The Faces. Stewart recently alluded to progress on the Faces project, suggesting it is “due out in 12 years.” He explained his collaboration with Ronnie Wood, a close friend, to revive old Faces tracks from the 1970s. “Ronnie Wood is one of my closest mates and we found some Faces tracks from the ‘70s. We dug ‘em up and were back in the recording studio – so hopefully we’ll have a Faces album one day soon,” he said.
Stewart also hinted at future UK performances, mentioning, “I’m touring the UK next year, doing The O2,” adding, “that’ll probably be it, I think.”
