Sir Rod Stewart admits Sir Elton John has "the hump" with him after he mocked him over his retirement tour.
Rod Stewart
The 73-year-old rocker has been asked by his wife Lady Penny Lancaster to apologise to the 'Candle in the Wind' hitmaker after he criticised him for announcing he'll be turning his back on live performances after a final tour of 300-plus concerts over three years.
The 'Maggie May' hitmaker plans on saying he's sorry and has praised Elton for "working harder" than him, but he also added fuel to the fire by joking that the 71-year-old star doesn't play for very long at his shows.
When quizzed on the tour being the biggest farewell in history, Rod told The Daily Telegraph newspaper: "Yeah! And he hasn't actually said it's a farewell yet!
"He said: 'Well, I might still do the odd show here and there ...' But, no, he's really got the hump with me.
"When he did announce it, I sent him a text: 'What again dear?' And I got nothing back!
"Tumbleweed!"
"Penny says I've got to phone him up. I will.
"I will get round to it. He's got two kids so I can understand why he wants to pack it in.
"Cause he's always worked harder than me. Wow, does he work hard.
" Really does. But he only sings for 30 minutes."
The 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?' hitmaker sent an email to lovingly mock his long-time pal earlier this year, and insisted if he ever decides to call time on his career he won't use his retirement to try and create interest.
Asked about Elton's retirement, Rod said: "I did email him and said, 'What? Again, dear?' I didn't hear anything back.
"I have never spoken about retirement. If I do retire, I won't make an announcement, I'll just fade away. I don't think it's a big deal, 'I'm going to retire.' It stinks of selling tickets.
It's dishonest. It's not rock 'n' roll."
Tagged in Rod Stewart Sir Elton John