Photo: The Canadian Press

In the end, the political aspirations of musician Kid Rock were not laid bare Tuesday night before thousands of screaming fans when the rocker performed the first of six concerts at a new sports arena in Detroit.

For much of the summer, the Detroit-area native has teased a Republican run for the U.S. Senate. He continued doing so at the concert but did not say if he would enter the race.

Kid Rock's real name is Robert Ritchie. It is not clear which name could appear on the ballot if he runs — something that might make a difference in how well he would do.

"If Robert Ritchie were to submit enough valid signatures to make the ballot and he indicated that he wanted to be listed as 'Kid Rock' in some way on the ballot, Bureau of Elections staff would have to research further the question of whether that name would be allowed," Fred Woodhmans, a spokesman for the Michigan secretary of state's office told The Associated Press in an email.

His publicist said Kid Rock would give fans exclusive insight on his political views and aspirations after his first song Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena, sparking speculation that he might become a candidate at the new home for the NHL's Red Wings and the NBA's Pistons. Yet his obscenity-laced speech mirrored one he gave last week at a concert in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

He was introduced as Michigan's "next senator" and talked about running for president. He criticized the government's "redistribution of wealth" to help "some deadbeat milking the system" and said he has no problem with gay marriage. He blasted Nazis and the KKK and said he loves black and white people "but neither as much as I love red, white and blue."