Main photo thanks to David James Murphy
End of week press run
Due to a broken lap, top last weeks news and gossip ended slightly early but so you don’t miss anything we start this week at the back end of last week..
Rod ended last week by doing a round of interviews for Chris Evans on Virgin Radio, talkSPORT and Sky News
On The Chris Evans Virgin radio show Rod discussed the upcoming Dine and Disco he was due to perform at on Saturday
On the talkSPORT breakfast show Rod likened Brendan Rodgers reported return to Celtic to the act of ‘taking back a cheating wife’ after the Northern Irishman ditched the SPL champions for Leicester City in 2019. Rod said Rodgers ruined his holiday four years ago when he decided to leave first time around but it’s all water under the bridge as far as he is concerned now.
And also called out Big Ange for not taking Celtic into The Champions League and leaving for Spurs
Rod was a huge fan of Postecoglou so he was gutted to see the Celtic manager leave, and he was not overly impressed by the way he signed off at Hampden after the Scottish Cup.
Appearing on talkSPORT alongside Rangers legend Ally McCoist and fellow Celtic fan Alan Brazil, Rod said: “I’m a bit disappointed with Ange, Every time they beat Rangers I’d send him a crate of wine. So I’m going to ask for it back now!
“I was hoping he’d stay and lead us into the Champions League.
“The one thing that upset me – we were at the final – all this walking about, kissing the badge, holding the trophy. Why didn’t he tell us before?
“If I was in his position, I’d be straight up. ‘It’s been a great two years but I’ve got an opportunity I can’t refuse, I’m going to go down and manage Spurs.’ “
McCoist then suggested that Postecoglou might try to sign some of Celtic star performers from his time at the club.
Rod commented: “That’ll make him very unpopular if he tries to take Kyogo!”
And McCoist, added: “I think he should”.
On Sky News Rod told Sarah Jane Mee “I was and still am a bit of a fan of Boris because I think he’s got wonderful charisma.”
Keith Smyth got a great photo of Rod on the day and told SMILER “He was so nice down to earth”
Dine and Disco
On Saturday night Rod and the full band performed for charity at the last ever Chris Evans Dine and Disco
They performed live to 52 couples who raised an incredible £1,737,441.04 for UK Children’s charities in an auction to be at the very special event at Chris’ house.
As well as a star turn from Sir Rod, the event also featured Michelin-starred food from the likes of Tom Kerridge, Atul Kochhar and Jose Pizaro, a performance from Beverley Knight, and appearances from Russell Brand, Rob Brydon and talkSPORT’s Alan Brazil, amongst plenty of other entertainment.
All money raised from the Dine & Disco went to charities including Children in Need, The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, My Black Dog, Rainbow Trust, Starlight, Teenage Cancer Trust, Young Epilepsy and Children with Cancer UK. Ahead of the show, Rod said on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with cinch: “When I got my knighthood, I thought ‘I’ve got to live up to this’. I want to help and do things. The music is one thing, and the legacy and everything, but I really want to help.”
After the show Rod went down the pub with Chris, Faces fan Rob Brydon, Penny and a few of the other guests.
Chris later told his radio show listeners: “Rod shed a tear in rehearsals when he was in soundcheck for one particular song, which always makes him cry, as it reminds him of his dad.” adding: “He cried again, Rod, when he did the song again – I was right by the side of the stage and one of his backing dancers wiped a tear from her eye and pointed to Rod and said, ‘He’s crying.'”
Teddy Bears Picnic
Last week a select group of 56 celebrity and high-profile animal-lovers came together at London’s Rosewood Hotel to raise money for charity, they brought with them a few furry friends. In the spirit of the fundraiser for the Celia Hammond Animal Trust (CHAT) stars including host Dame Joanna Lumley, Sir Rod, and Dame Joan Collins came along with a teddy bear – from childhood, gifted or borrowed – for a very special afternoon picnic.
Former model Celia, who established her charity in 1986 to provide a rescue and re homing service for abandoned cats (and a few dogs), as well as emergency surgery for those who can’t afford vet fees, was overwhelmed by the support in the room and by the staggering £250,000 that was raised. You can read the full story and see all the pictures in this weeks HELLO! magazine
Rod with Elvis Presley’s original ‘Red Hastrom Viking II’ guitar used in his Las Vegas Comeback shows that played a major part in the event.
Shirt fit for a Face
Last week we told you about Ronnie Wood designing the new Faces shirt for Mr Wood of London
At the weekend Kenney Jones received one as a gift from Ronnie
And Rod wore his in Cork
And they all wore them well!
This weeks Rod Art
This weeks Rod art is from Paul Reprintsev from Kharkov, Ukraine who we have featured many times on SMILER
We can never see enough of Paul’s work, Rod was very impressed with his work and has signed his prints in the past, this stunning acrylic and pencils work of art was done two years ago and is another fantastic addition to Paul’s portfolio.
Did you know
In the early 80’s when going through different songs to call his own, Rod considered the 80’s classic ‘Physical’, that was made famous by Olivia Newton-John. Years after the fact, Olivia still didn’t understand why Rod turned down the smash, telling Entertainment Weekly, “I wasn’t actually aware at the time that it was written for him. I must talk with him about it one day. Like, did he ever hear it?”.
Thank god whoever was advising Rod at the time saw sense!
Cork Live At The Marquee
On Tuesday and Wednesday Rod played Cork, at The Marquee
Before the concert on Tuesday Holly and Joanne called in Dwyers of Cork and sang on David James Murphy and his band Bermuda County’s version of ‘I Don’t Want to Talk About It’ David and his family later met Rod backstage See our main photo
The promotion for Wolfie’s Blended Scotch Whisky got off to a good visual start
An orange weather warning for thunder was issued before Rod took to the stage on Tuesday but Rod went down a storm with the sell out crowd
Photographer Trevor McGrath took these fantastic photos
To see the full gallery go to
https://www.hotpress.com/pics-vids/rod-stewart-at-live-at-the-marquee-photos-22975240
Martina Dullea was in the crowd and got some great shots
Glenn Milligan, Editor of www.metallivillezine.com was also in the crowd and captured some special shots
Big Rod fan, Rob Oliver met Rod backstage after Rod saw his banner saying that Rob and his mate Billy had followed Rod for 40 years and invited him back
To read the Irish Examiner review of Tuesday night go to..
On Wednesday they did it all again and Gerard Killilea was on hand to capture the show with these superb photos
On Thursday Rod said Just back from the Republic of Ireland where I had the pleasure of performing in Cork to the loudest happiest , most responsive , loving audiences I can ever remember..
‘’ Cork you will always be in my heart ‘’
Watch out for scammers
Brian Gibson has brought our attention to the latest scammers pretending to be Wolfie’s Whisky
Be careful who you buy your bottles from!
The official Wolfie’s site is
https://www.wolfieswhisky.com/
Unlike these con men who are based in Ghana
Rod clears up confusion
Rod posted a message to all his fans on Wednesday…
I’d like to clear up any confusion that I may have caused with my dear fans and the media. I shall never retire! I was put on this earth to be a singer and will keep doing so for as long as the good Lord lets me. I’ll be playing the hits as advertised for the UK, US, South America and Vegas and into 2024 but no retirement as such.
During recent interviews, I’ve mentioned my newest passion is big band/swing music and when we wrap this greatest hits tour, it’s something I’m very eager to share with you.
I could never turn my back on the songs that I’ve written and and sung over the last six decades. They are like my children. I created them and I love them. I’ll always come back to them, just like I did after The Great American Songbook series, which I shall boastfully add, sold 26 million albums!
I look forward to seeing you on the road with all the hits, and I can’t wait to introduce you to my new swing album next year.
Pre Rod Stewart and Boy George Gig on Wednesday
Don’t miss the fantastic Rod tribute Garry Pease before the big Rod show in Northampton on Wednesday
Check out The Sevens, Free entry from 11am, Garry is on at 2pm and 4.30pm and the Boy George tribute is 4pm
Issue 102
Issue 102 of SMILER Magazine will start to be posted out next week so please check your details are up to date
This issue features A toast to Don Stewart a tribute to the legend Jeff Beck with exclusive photos from The Jeff Beck Tribute Show and also exclusive photos from The Scottish Music Awards plus much more
If anyone checked back this week for news on our Tim Jeffs project please try again next week, he is still working on it.
And finally
Anyone going to see the show in Plymouth Home Park on Saturday, Northampton Cinch Stadium on Wednesday or Durham Seat Unique Riverside on Friday please send in any thoughts reviews or photos ..also let us know your thoughts on Wolfie’s Whisky..Will you get a signed bottle?..See you next week
One reply on “This week’s news and gossip”
Thanks for the great update Mike, look forward to hearing about the recent shows on your side of the pond. JD