Richard Marx is stepping into a new era of his career — and he’s doing it with help from one of his lifelong heroes. The singer-songwriter behind hits like “Right Here Waiting” and “Hold On to the Nights” has released a new album titled “After Hours,” which includes a duet with Rod Stewart.
Even bigger: Marx is joining Stewart on tour this summer.
In a statement shared with the album announcement, Marx revealed the collaboration wasn’t something he chased — it was something Stewart personally suggested.
Rod Stewart Suggested the Duet During a London Dinner
Marx said the moment started during a trip to England. He and his wife, Daisy Fuentes, traveled to London for Stewart’s surprise 80th birthday celebration, and the music conversation continued the next night over dinner.
“This time last year, my wife Daisy [Fuentes] and I flew to London for Rod Stewart’s surprise 80th birthday party,” Marx recalled in a statement to AOL. “Rod and his wife Penny [Lancaster] invited us to his home for dinner the next evening and we all had drinks prior at his local pub down the road.”
Marx said he mentioned his new album project, and Stewart jumped in with a surprising idea.
“When I told him about my ‘After Hours’ album, he immediately said, ‘We should do a duet, Dickie,’” Marx continued. “I thought it might be the Guinness talking but the next day he texted me, ‘I was serious about singing together. How about we do ‘Young at Heart?””
Richard Marx Calls the Collaboration a Career Highlight
Marx didn’t downplay what the moment meant to him. He made it clear that Stewart’s role in the duet wasn’t a label suggestion or a publicity move — it was personal.
“Anyone who knows me knows Rod has been one of my lifelong heroes and becoming pals with him just in the last few years has meant the absolute world to me,” Marx said. “The only thing possibly more amazing for me than finally getting to sing with him is that it was his idea.”
The duet appears on “Young at Heart,” a song written by Johnny Richards and Carolyn Leigh.
‘After Hours’ Album Details: Guests Include Kenny G and Chris Botti
“After Hours” mixes classics from the Great American Songbook with new tracks written or co-written by Marx in the same style. The album also features guest appearances from several major names.
Kenny G appears on “Big Band Boogie,” and acclaimed trumpet player Chris Botti is featured on “All I Ever Needed.” Fuentes also contributes creatively to the album, co-writing the track “Magic Hour.”
The project represents a musical left turn for Marx — but one he says felt exciting rather than forced.
Why Recording Live With an Orchestra Made Marx “Nervous”
Marx opened up to USA Today about why the Great American Songbook wasn’t always on his radar — and why he ultimately embraced it.
“It was never on my bingo card,” Marx said. He added, “I’m a songwriter, so the idea of an album of covers would not be for me. That said, it created a really interesting challenge, which was, what if I do half an album of standards and half new songs that sounded like that?”
He also described the pressure of recording the album live with an orchestra.
“I wanted to do something badass,” Marx said. “I remember driving to the studio that morning and was really nervous. I love that feeling of being nervous and wanting to impress everybody.”
Richard Marx Tour Dates Include Rod Stewart Shows and Red Rocks
Marx will take the project on the road in 2026, starting with an Australia run in April. After that, he will join Stewart’s “One Last Time” tour across several major U.S. venues.
His schedule also includes headline dates at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado, along with shows at the London Palladium in October. On select dates, Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon will join him.
Marx’s upcoming tour dates include stops in Phoenix, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, New York, Kansas City, and more, with multiple shows marked as performances alongside Stewart.
