Rod Stewart Blasts Elton John’s ‘Dishonest’ Farewell Tour | HuffPost

‘It’s not rock and roll’

By

Head of Entertainment, HuffPost UK

It doesn’t sound like Rod Stewart will be bidding his old friend and rival Elton John a fond farewell when the Rocket Man hits the road for the very last time.

In January, Sir Elton announced a 300-date ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ world tour, confirming it would be the last time fans would ever get the chance to see him on stage.

But Sir Rod has labelled Elton’s plans “dishonest”, saying the tour “stinks of selling tickets”.

Sir Elton has been friends with Sir Rod for years.

Dave M. Benett via Getty Images

The ‘Maggie May’ singer spoke out during an appearance on a US chat show when he was asked by a fan what he thought of his friend’s plans to retire.

Rod said: “I did email her and said, ‘What, again dear?’ And I didn’t hear anything back.

“I’ve never spoken about retirement, and if I do retire I won’t make an announcement. I’ll just fade away. I don’t think this big deal, ‘I’m going to retire’… It stinks of selling tickets.”

He added: “It’s dishonest. It’s not rock and roll.”

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At the press launch for the three year tour, which kicks off in September, Elton said: “My priorities have changed in my life. We had children and that change our lives.

“In 2015, David and I sat down with a school schedule and I thought, I don’t want to miss too much of this.

“It doesn’t mean i’m not going to be creative, I’m just not going to tour anymore.”

One thing the 70-year-old star won’t miss is overzealous fans. Earlier this month, video footage emerged of Elton telling a fan to “f*** off” during a performance in Las Vegas, before he stormed off stage.

The singer later issued a statement explaining that the man in question had been trying to put his hands on his piano and take pictures.

Elton John: 75 Rare And Beautiful Early Years Photos

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British singer, songwriter and musician Elton John (Reginald Kenneth Dwight) playing piano. Rome, 1973 (Photo by Rino Petrosino\Mondadori Portfolio by Getty Images) (credit:Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: Elton John performs at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California on October 25, 1975. (Photo by Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (credit:Larry Hulst via Getty Images)

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CIRCA 1971: Pop singer Elton John poses for a portrait wearing glasses in circa 1971. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (credit:Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)

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(Original Caption) 8/25/1975-- L-r: Rock star Elton John is shown embracing singer Bette Midler on the set of the "Cher" TV show on CBS. Both are wearing outlandish costumes. (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)

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7th November 1970: Portrait of British-born musician Elton John playing the piano and singing. John wears sunglasses, a long-sleeved shirt covered in white stars, and many rings. (Photo by Jack Robinson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (credit:Jack Robinson via Getty Images)

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Portrait of British musician Elton John, dressed in a leather duster (or long coat) as he plays piano, 1970. (Photo by Jack Robinson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (credit:Jack Robinson via Getty Images)

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