Rod Stewart: Elton John's being dishonest

Elton John performing at Wellington's Westpac Stadium in 2015 Photo / Bradley Garner

Rod Stewart has criticised Elton John's retirement tour and branded it a "dishonest" ploy to make money.

The Maggie May singer said he didn't believe in retirement tours, and that the 300-date Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour "stinks of selling tickets".

Stewart, 73, said that he has never talked about retiring and that the decision by Elton, 70, was "not rock and roll".

Stewart was in a jocular mood during an appearance on a chat show in the United States when asked about Elton, who he has been friends with for 50 years. But his comments about retirement seemed rather more pointed.

Stewart was appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen when a fan called in to ask him what he thought of the Rocket Man's planned retirement.

Stewart said: "I did email her [Elton] and said: 'What, again dear'? And I didn't hear anything back.

"Talking about retirement, 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."

When Cyndi Lauper, who is touring with Stewart and also appeared on the show, joked that it "wasn't a bad idea" and that they too could plug their tour in the same way, Stewart said: "It's dishonest. It's not rock and roll."

Stewart and Elton have enjoyed a good natured rivalry for years and have in the past texted each other to compare album sales. During their conversations they pretend to be a married couple and Stewart calls himself Phyllis while Elton is Sharon.