American hard rock veterans Tesla are set to release their new album “Homage” on July 17, 2026, through Frontiers Music Srl.
Marking a full-circle moment in their long and storied career, Tesla return to their roots with “Homage”, a collection of cover songs paying tribute to some of rock’s most enduring classics.
To give fans a first glimpse of what’s coming, the band has unveiled their take on Climax Blues Band’s iconic track “I Love You” (2026 version). The single is accompanied by an official music video, which you can check out below.
TESLA comments: “‘I Love You’, like all the tracks on ‘Homage’, not only pays tribute to legends but gives us a chance to showcase our lead singer’s diversity as well as the musical dynamics we learned as a band many years ago.”
It’s striking to think that more than four decades have passed since Tesla started out as a cover band playing California nightclubs, long before evolving into a successful act that would create original music and sell millions of records.
Much like their musical heroes — The Beatles and The Rolling Stones — who sharpened their skills by performing songs from earlier artists, Tesla followed a similar path in their formative years and still carries that spirit today, honoring their influences through cover songs.
“Homage” not only pays tribute to legendary artists, but also highlights the vocal range and versatility of Jeff Keith. The album feels like a heartfelt musical thank-you — a nod to the iconic voices and songs that shaped Tesla’s influences and ultimately inspired their own songwriting journey.
“Homage” isn’t about imitation, but recognition — drawing a clear line between influence and identity, between listening and becoming. The project also comes more than two decades after the “Real To Reel” series, a release that ultimately sparked the creation of a new original Tesla track, “Never Alone”.
The tracks chosen for “Homage” reflect a range of influences, with a strong focus on some of the greatest vocalists of all time, including Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, Sam Cooke, David Ruffin, Etta James, and James Brown. At the same time, the selection also draws from songs the members of Tesla grew up listening to, whether on the radio or spinning on their turntables.
On the upcoming album, TESLA shares: “Our new album ‘Homage’ is a thank-you note written in sound. An offering to the great singers and songs that shaped the music we grew up listening to, and the songs we would eventually write. We hope you all enjoy this as much as we did making it. Thank you for all the years — keep it real and keep on rockin’!”
“Homage” track listing:
01. Never Alone (original song)
02. Bring It On Home (Sam Cooke cover)
03. Spread Your Wings (QUEEN cover)
04. I Wish It Would Rain (THE TEMPTATIONS cover)
05. Night Moves (Bob Seger cover)
06. If I Can Dream (Elvis Presley cover)
07. Come And Get It (BADFINGER cover)
08. I Got You (James Brown cover)
09. Give A Little Bit (SUPERTRAMP cover)
10. I Love You (2026 Version) (CLIMAX BLUES BAND cover)
11. The Ballad Of Curtis Loew (LYNYRD SKYNYRD cover)
12. Have You Ever Seen The Rain (CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL cover)
13. I’d Rather Go Blind (Etta James cover)
14. Mind Your Own Business (Hank Williams Sr. cover)
