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Rod Stewart has vowed to live life to the fullest, even though he is well aware of his fragile mortality.

The 79-year-old singer has been sharing his musical talents with the world for more than 60 years and is currently in the midst of his final residency, The Hits, at the Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.

He has partied and danced his way through life ever since his hit single ‘Maggie May’ in 1971 and a few decades on, showbiz on the decline, the singer doesn’t show any sign of stopping.

As the British rockstar nears his landmark 80th birthday in January, he insists he has no plans to tone down his rock ’n’ roll ways, saying “I’m aware my days are numbered but I’ve got no fear,” during a Friday, July 26 interview with The Sun.

“We have all got to pass on at some point, so we are all in the same basket. I am going to be enjoying myself for these last few years as much as I can,” he continued.

“I say few — probably another 15. I can do that easy mate, easy.”

After 13 years in LA, the ‘Forever Young’ singer plans to make full use of the “final 15 years” of his life and party into his 90s.

Well into his final residency, Rod insists he still “goes mad” on the booze after each show, encouraging his dancers and ­musicians to knock it back even though it is a little different now.

Rod says: “I’m not like I was in the ’70s and ’80s and I can’t stay up all night, get drunk and go mad and still have a voice just like that.

“Nowadays I have to protect my voice before and after every show.

Rod credits good old H2O for helping with that, but that’s not all he drinks.

“The older you get, the more you have to do that. Water has a hell of a lot to do with it. But no, you think I just have water on my rider? You’re talking to Rod Stewart here, mate,” he said.

“We go mad after every show. There are 13 of us, six women, really great musicians and I make them drink. We absolutely love it.”

Asked what his go-to tipple is, rather than his own brand of whisky, Wolfie’s, Rod takes after James Bond and sips Martinis.

He says: “Before the show I have a quick Bacardi which I am trying to convince myself is good for my voice.

“After a show we all get stuck into the Martinis. Most bands all go home and go to bed but we don’t. We have a big old party.”

Beyond the jubilant backstage celebrations, Rod ensures his concerts are electrifying spectacles that get everyone on their feet, featuring balloons cascading from the ceiling and no fewer than four dazzling costume changes in a thrilling two-hour performance.

The musician laughs: “I sweat a lot so I have to change or I get too wet.”

“We have the change backstage down to a tee. It is funny, I have a bloke take my trousers off who runs over. He is the sound guy and yanks them off. I think it’s all part of showbiz really — you want to turn up and make it special. I can’t just go on in a pair of jeans. I think it’s an attractive side of rock ’n’ roll.”

Despite vowing not to tone down his love of a good time, Rod says he is more aware than ever about his health as he approaches his milestone birthday next year. Having had both prostate and thyroid cancer, he says: I’m f***ing mad, ain’t I?” noting that he does enjoy keeping himself fit.

Rod says: “I am currently building a track at my house in Essex and I am going to try to beat the world record for a 79-year-old, which I think is about 17 seconds. I’m f***ing mad, ain’t I?”

Rod says he is also a bit of a hypochondriac and thinks men in particular should take advantage of all the wonderful ­medical science out there.

“When I come back to the UK I am going to have my blood cleaned as I’ve been told it is a real boost to the system.”

Rod also insists that he is not at all a pill popper, saying he has been doing shows all his life and may need an anti-inflammatory for his knees at most, but otherwise “I don’t need pills,” he says.

After shifting 120 million records with 11 UK No1 albums under his belt, he says: “I’ve got ­ambitions like touring with Jools Holland but no, I would feel greedy if I asked for ­anything more.”

“I have had a good time and a good life and I’ve enjoyed myself, so I wouldn’t ask for anything more.”

The ‘Sailing’ singer says he hasn’t thought much about what’s next and is just “enjoying the moment”.

[source:usmagazine]