I DON'T WANT TO BE SINGING HOT LEGS AGED 84!
As Rod Stewart heads out on his new UK tour, he chats to NAOMI CLARKE about his relationship with his hits and why he plans to retire them soon
“IT’S been an honour to have entertained the British public since I was 19,” says Sir Rod Stewart as he reflects on his nearly six-decade career and prepares for a new chapter.
The veteran musician, 77, kicked off his new UK tour this week, where he will perform an array of classics from across his catalogue, with some venues hearing them for the last time.
“It’s a very exciting show, very high energy. I have to have a rest every now and then,” he tells me, playfully.
“That is not true... What I do is I go off and change costumes because I get so sweaty, but reviewers have said: ‘Oh poor Rod, he had to go off and have a rest.’
“It’s not true! I change outfits. I’m as fit as I’ve ever been!”
After opening in Nottingham on November 16, the singer will tour cities including London, Dublin, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and Belfast.
With his raspy voice, iconic blond spiky hairstyle and commanding stage presence, Sir Rod has entertained countless fans across the world and become one of the best-selling artists with hits like Maggie May and Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?
The north London-born singer still loves performing but feels this will be his last time singing some of his best-known material on tour.
“I’ve got a few English gigs next year outdoors, and that’ll be it for these songs. But I’m not retiring.”
I point out that I don’t think he could ever retire given his lively nature – even after years on the road.
“No, I couldn’t, I’ve got too many children,” jokes the fatherof-eight.
After he reveals this next step in his career, I tentatively ask a question, the answer to which may be dreaded by Sir Rod’s fans: will this be his final tour?
“No, of course not,” he reassures, revealing he’s recorded a swing album with Jools Holland and his Big Band. “We don’t know when it’s coming out, I’d like to do that because it’s different,” he adds
Best known as a solo artist, Sir Rod spent his early career fronting a host of bands. Most famous among these were The Faces, but he also performed with Long John Baldry and his Hoochie Coochie Men, Steampacket and the Jeff Beck Group.
He went on to enjoy vast success, producing more than 30 studio albums, with just as many tours along the way – including a Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace which has been running since 2011.
As he reminisces, Sir Rod discusses the personal connection he has formed with his songs during that time.
“They’re all my favourites because I know what they mean to people and you get somewhat of a different reaction every night,” he says. “They’re all my favourites because all my songs I’ve written, they’re like my babies.”
Following years of building this relationship with tracks which have elevated him to household name status across the world, he admits it is hard to let them go.
“Of course it will be, but I’ve got to move on, I don’t want to be singing Hot Legs when I’m 84,” he says. “I said that when I was in my 30s about my 60s, and I’m still singing it.” When I ask if he will come back to eat his words in a decade’s time, he offers: “Well you take me up on it, alright? Make sure you call me and say: ‘You mugged me off there.”’
Sir Rod was made a knight in 2016 for his services to music and charity. He recently made headlines after revealing he is supporting a family of seven Ukrainian refugees by renting them a home and paying their bills.
Sir Rod says he broke his usual stance of not discussing his charitable work as he wanted to inspire others to help those in the war-torn country. His upcoming tour will also pay tribute to Ukraine as he will dedicate his 1991 hit Rhythm Of My Heart, which he described as an “anti-war song”, to the country and its people.
Reflecting on how he plans to address the conflict, he says: “I use some vulgar words when describing (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.
“And I try and say: ‘Listen, this is not the Russian people’s fault.’ A lot of people have been arrested and put in prison. This is a man and his regime, so don’t blame all Russians... it’s not their fault, it’s this a***hole.”
After the war broke out, Sir Rod says he and his wife Penny Lancaster were prompted to take action after witnessing the turmoil unfold on the news.
His family hired three trucks filled with supplies and had them driven to the border of Ukraine, before using the same vehicles to transport refugees to safety in Berlin.
“When the war started, in this household, we were shocked beyond shock,” he recalls.
“My family came through the Second World War (Sir Rod was born in the final months of the war) and to see another ground war with tanks... I never thought we’d see the day.”
Sir Rod adds sincerely: “I’m a knight, I’ve got to do something and I hope other people follow.”