Rod Stewart announces return to R&B

LOS ANGELES, May 19 (UPI) -- Rocker-turned-crooner Rod Stewart says he'll turn to rhythm & blues after releasing his fourth "American Songbook" album in October.

Stewart, 60, told Rolling Stone he plans to avoid covering the likes of Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Sam Cooke.

"I want to record old songs by Joe Tex, Solomon Burke, Teddy Pendergrass and Bobby Womack," he said.

Stewart is touring Britain and is scheduled to visit Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden.

The first three "American Songbook" albums were released one per year between 2202 and 2004 and featured Stewart singing the likes of Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Hoagy Carmichael.

They have collectively sold more than 13 million copies worldwide.