Rod: Women threw themselves at me but times were different
How rock ’n’ roll life took its toll on a legend
POP legend Rod Stewart has revealed how he got tired of women throwing themselves at him.
In a Q&A session at the British Film Institute, Rod, 73, was asked about how female fans were treated in the late 1960s, early 1970s, when he was in Faces, with Ronnie Wood.
Rod said: “Women literally used to throw themselves at us. It really was, ‘Oh not again tonight, Ronnie’.
“It has changed.
“I can only speak from my perspective, but as a rock and roll singer, I used to show off with the girls.” But he said he always behaved like a gentleman. He said: “I would never touch a girl unless she wanted me to. Things have changed. You could get away with a bit more in those days than you can now and things have changed for the good.”
Asked if he would give the 19-yearold version of himself any advice, he said: “I think he did everything right. I think I was very respectful of the audience. There were never any tantrums. What would I teach myself ? F*** all. I admire myself. I had a bit of spunk about me. I love that.”
Rod had plasters on his right hand during the talk, which followed a screening of “Rod The Mod” at the Southbank in London on Saturday.
He revealed he has had surgery to remove some cells on his skin.
Rod said: “I have just had a little operation on my hand. I had a couple of sun things there and they burnt them off.”
Rod spoke of wife Penny Lancaster, 47, and said she was his “diamond”.
He said: “I have been married three times and I say this with all honesty, I have got a great woman now.
“Maybe it is because I am a little bit older and I understand women a lot better than I used to.
“But I have got a diamond by my side now. She really is and I can’t say any more than that.”