Some of Rod Stewart’s brood of children would like to see the 78-year-old rocker sailing into retirement.
According to a close family friend, several of the singer’s eight children are encouraging him to retire so he can spend some time focusing on his role as a father and grandfather,” the Daily Mail reported Friday.
“They are worried about him and want him to throw in the towel on music and retire on his own terms,” the insider shared. “Their dad has devoted 50 years of his life to music and he has nothing left to prove to anyone.
“With his health issues, and considering his age, several of Rod’s kids just think it is time for him to take a few years to focus on his health and his family – especially after the birth of his third grandbaby.”
Stewart has eight children ranging in age from 59 to 12.
His oldest daughter, Sarah Steele, 59, was put up for adoption by Stewart’s ex-girlfriend, Susannah Boffey, and reunited with her biological father later in life.
He shares daughter Kimberly, 43, and son Sean, 42, with his ex-wife Alana Stewart, and daughter Ruby, 35, with his ex-girlfriend Kelly Emberg.
Rod’s second marriage to New Zealand-born model Rachel Hunter produced son Liam, 28, and daughter, Renee, 31.
And he shares his youngest two sons, Alaistar, 17, and Aiden, 12, with wife Penny Lancaster.
The “Maggie May” rocker is due to embark on a 40-show global tour starting June 24.
In 2019, Stewart revealed that he had successfully waged a secret three-year battle with prostate cancer. He also beat thyroid cancer in 2000.
And in April 2020, the Grammy winner shared that he had undergone knee replacement and ankle fusion surgery after suffering a soccer injury.
Last month, Stewart became a grandfather twice over with the birth of two grandsons, one from his daughter Ruby and the other from his son Liam.
Stewart is also a grandfather to Kimberly’s daughter Delilah, whom she shares with actor Benicio Del Toro.
“Rod doesn’t really want to stop and doesn’t know how to not create music. It is his life. He would love to rock out forever and he believes that his fans need him,” the source explained.
“His family is just hoping that when Rod’s tour is wrapped he is going to actually be done. They really want him to stick to this.”
