The rocker has made no secret of his ambitions to run as the Nationals candidate for the seat of Gilmore on the NSW south coast, but said his time in the music industry was not over yet.

''Over the past two to three years, people have reported on our demise [Rose Tattoo's], that we have broken up - maybe it's wishful thinking on their part - but no, we will not be going away,'' he said. ''So long as there is life in the beast and we still love performing we'll keep going.

''We're in our 36th year this year and coming up on 40 years, maybe at 40 years we'll call it quits - maybe.

''We're doing a tour next year called the 'Maybe Farewell Tour'- but it's not a John Farnham manoeuvre. That's turned into a joke.''

Anderson said he was the only original member of the Rose Tattoo still living.

''The last of the original band members, apart from myself, was very, very ill during the last tour - that was three years ago now,'' he said.

''All the original members apart from myself have passed on and that took the wind out of my sails for a while but I found new band members and kicked on.''

Anderson said this would be the first time the band had played at Summernats and the venue was a natural fit for their kind of music.

''I have performed in past years but not with the Rose Tatts, I've been there as a guest before and it's all about fantastic cars, it's the perfect atmosphere for us,'' he said.

Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez said Rose Tattoo would round out the music line-up at Summernats 26, which includes the recent announcement of the Hilltop Hoods, who will be performing on the Friday night.

''Rose Tattoo are one of Australia's most legendary rock'n'roll bands, and we're thrilled to have them on board for Saturday night at Summernats 26,'' Mr Lopez said.

Summernats will be held from January 3-6 at Exhibition Park in Canberra.