Latest news with #Rod
Edinburgh Live
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Sir Rod Stewart clarifies real reason behind shock split as he admits 'I would've stayed'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Sir Rod Stewart, one of this year's Glastonbury Festival headliners, has put a long-standing rumour to bed about why The Faces split. Established in 1969 in London, the rock band featured members Rod, Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan, Ronnie Wood, and Kenney Jones. The band was made up of former members of other groups, with Ronnie L, Ian, and Kenney moving on from Small Faces, and Sir Rod and Ronnie disbanding from the Jeff Beck Group around the same time. For many years, 80-year-old Rod has been named as the catalyst for the band's split in 1975, due to his solo career. In a recent interview with Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2 however, he claimed this wasn't the case after all. Reflecting on his friendship with Ronnie W and Kenney, Rod reminisced: "We don't talk about the old times very much, I mean there's only three of us left, obviously that's without Mac and Ronnie. "But they were wonderful those days. That was a band I would've stayed in for the rest of my life." Debunking myths about his departure, he clarified: "People think I left but I didn't, you know, Ronnie joined the [Rolling] Stones and so the whole thing floundered. "Ronnie Lane had already left because he wasn't happy, so once we lost Ronnie Lane, we lost the soul of the band really." The remaining members of the band are currently working on an album and a documentary together, and there's even talk of a reunion at Glastonbury this weekend. Updating fans on their projects, Rod added: "Yeah we've been filming it [the documentary] for some time, we're trying to finish off an album and it's all down to me again, because I've got to get the lyrics finished. "I've been working so bl***y hard, I've got two albums on the go, two documentaries. "I'm supposed to be doing a book about my modern railway, which I've just dropped because I ain't got the time, but yeah, there is a documentary. "We've got a considerable amount of film and some really old stuff. Apparently Kodak gave all of The Faces cameras way back [then and said] 'Shoot what you want' and Kenney has still got it all. "So, it's going to go way back. I don't know when it's going to be finished, the album is down to me, I need to finish the lyrics off." Rod is scheduled to headline the Glastonbury Legends slot on Sunday, and last month, he confirmed that Ronnie will be joining him on stage. Rumour has it that Kenney will also be on board, though this hasn't been confirmed. Festival organiser Emily Eavis expressed her excitement over Rod performing, stating on Instagram: "Bringing Sir Rod Stewart back for the Sunday afternoon slot on the Pyramid stage is everything we could wish for. What a way to bow out with the final legends slot before we take a fallow year. We cannot wait!".
Sydney Morning Herald
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Former Queensland minister Rod Welford dies
Former Queensland minister Rod Welford, who served in the state parliament during the Goss, Beattie and Bligh Labor governments from 1989 to 2009, has died. Labor luminaries including current state leader and former premier Steven Miles and Senator Murray Watt paid tribute to Welford on social media on Saturday. 'Rod was a legend in everything he did – as a terrific Labor MP and minister, but as a Queenslander and a mate too,' Miles wrote on Facebook. 'He was a change agent, never satisfied unless he was working on reform. 'Rod had a lifelong passion for protecting our natural heritage, culminating in the creation of the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency under his watch.' Federal Environment Minister Watt, himself a former state MP who succeeded Welford in the Brisbane seat of Everton, spoke of Welford's commitment to environmental protection both during and after his time in government. 'Rod lived his passion for social justice and protecting our natural environment every day – before, during and after his long and successful Parliamentary and Ministerial service,' Watt wrote. 'His working life delivered lasting reforms that he and every Labor supporter were rightly proud of. He continued making a difference after politics, especially on energy efficiency and other environmental goals.' Welford was first elected in the seat of Stafford in 1989 before switching to Everton at the 1992 election following the former seat's temporary abolition in a redistribution.
The Age
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Age
Former Queensland minister Rod Welford dies
Former Queensland minister Rod Welford, who served during the Goss, Beattie and Bligh Labor governments from 1989 to 2009, has died. Labor luminaries including current state leader and former premier Steven Miles and Senator Murray Watt paid tribute to Welford on social media on Saturday. 'Rod was a legend in everything he did – as a terrific Labor MP and Minister, but as a Queenslander and a mate too,' Miles wrote on Facebook. 'He was a change agent, never satisfied unless he was working on reform. 'Rod had a lifelong passion for protecting our natural heritage, culminating in the creation of the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency under his watch.' Federal Environment Minister Watt, himself a former state MP who succeeded Welford in the Brisbane seat of Everton, spoke of Welford's commitment to environmental protection both during and after his time in government. 'Rod lived his passion for social justice and protecting our natural environment every day – before, during and after his long and successful Parliamentary and Ministerial service,' Watt wrote. 'His working life delivered lasting reforms that he and every Labor supporter were rightly proud of. He continued making a difference after politics, especially on energy efficiency and other environmental goals.' Welford was first elected in the seat of Stafford in 1989 before switching to Everton at the 1992 election following the former seat's temporary abolition in a redistribution.
Perth Now
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Sir Rod Stewart considered cancelling Glastonbury performance
Sir Rod Stewart came close to cancelling his Glastonbury performance. The 80-year-old star is set to play the Legends slot on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, but Rod admits that he came perilously close to cancelling his performance after being struck down with illness. The Maggie May hitmaker - who is married to model Penny Lancaster - told The Sun newspaper: "I've had to cancel five shows because of this b****** flu. "This time last week I was thinking of cancelling. It was a close shave. I have had Influenza A. It's been so terrible. "But my dear wife Penny and some good medical people got me through it. There was a lot of technical massaging from some very good people I know, which sounds filthy doesn't it? You've got no idea. "But my dear wife, she said to me 'You are going to do this. It's mind over matter.' She nursed me back to health. She really is a great girl." Rod is now looking forward to his Glastonbury performance after overcoming his illness. He said: "I am really looking forward to it now. I feel honoured and privileged, considering four days ago I wasn't going to make it." Rod has teased details of his performance, including his musical guests. The singer - who is one of the best-selling artists of all time - quipped: "Mick Hucknall and I are going to come up and sing She Was Only A Pilot's Daughter But She Kept Her Cockpit Clean. "Only joking. We are going to sing If You Don't Know Me By Now. And then Lulu is coming on. "She is going to sing Hot Legs and then Ronnie Wood is coming on with me and Lulu to do Stay With Me." Rod also revealed that their rehearsals have been going really well. The chart-topping star - who was knighted for services to music and charity back in 2016 - shared: "All three of my guests are in excellent form and are playing well. We had the best rehearsal yesterday."
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Secrets of Rod Stewart's Glasto set after the rocker's 'military style' build-up
Sir Rod Stewart is set for another epic Glastonbury Festival performance with his 90-minute set at Worthy Farm on Sunday said to be setting the rocker back £300,000 As backstage requests go, it's usually all about the booze, drugs and girls for most rockers. But not so for Sir Rod Stewart. Taking to the Pyramid stage on Sunday afternoon at Glastonbury for the coveted Legends slot, the star is adopting a slightly less rock 'n roll approach. In fact, the 80-year-old is taking his trusted personal trainer with him to Worthy Farm to ensure he is in tip-top shape for the show. With an estimated 100,000 watching him at Worthy Farm - and millions more on the TV - the rocker knows the stakes are high. Especially so after suffering a bad bout of flu which saw him cancel a string of shows in Las Vegas. Insiders say Rod has thrown himself into the task with vigour, with one saying: 'He is fully-fit and raring to go. His trainer works wonders so it was a no-brainer to have them at the festival.' In fact, the star has gone to military-like lengths to ensure the show goes without a hitch. Already super-fit from swimming lengths in his pool four times a week, the star has been on a period of vocal rest to ensure his raspy voice is firing on all cylinders. Says our mole: 'It's been quite hard as Rod is a chatterbox, but he knows he needs to preserve what's his biggest weapon…his voice.' Rehearsals have been taking part this week with his whole band at a secret location, and insiders say Rod's back to his best. The set-list is a closely-guarded secret but Rod has vowed to deliver a hits-packed 90minute set including Maggie May, Sailing and Downtrain Train. Three special guests have been pencilled in with the pick of the bunch being Rolling Stones guitarist and old pal Ronnie Wood for an incredible Faces reunion. Sir Rod - who admits he can't remember playing the festival last in 2002 - may even pay an emotional tribute to Ukraine during the set. The star - who has housed refugees from the country in the UK - may sing his 1991 anti-war song Rhythm of My Heart, accompanied by an image of an Ukrainian flag. A source said: 'Rod is putting the finishing touches to the set which is a little shorter than his usual Vegas shows, so it remains to be seen what makes the cut.' Wife Penny has been a constant watching the band go through the motions at rehearsals. In fact, the whole Stewart family are fully getting into the festival spirit. While Rod, Penny and the band are staying at a £1000-a-night hotel in Bath, three of his children including 19-year-old Alastair and Ruby are camping. The teenager - who had to buy his own tickets as Glastonbury don't offer any freebies - seems to take after his dad when it comes to enjoying a knees-up He was spotted partying until 5am on Friday morning with friends in the hedonistic Shangri-La area of the festival site. A source said: 'Rod is quite happy to let the kids get on with it and is delighted they are getting stuck into the festival.' But rather than having to go back to a tent afterwards, his children are staying at the ultra-lavish Pop-Up Hotel, which is just outside the festival gates. With a restaurant, full-size swimming pool, and helipad, one its 10–person suites costs just shy of £30,000 for the duration of the festival. It's not known if Sir Rod is picking up the tab, but the whole cost of his Legends performance is already setting him back a staggering £300,000. This includes flying over from the US by private jet, as well as all his band too, who are coming over in premium economy. Then there is the cost of transporting the set and all the equipment. It's little wonder the £120,000 he is earning is not touching the sides. Says a source: 'He is running at a big loss but it's such a prestigious opportunity, he doesn't mind.' Unlike Neil Young who has banned the BBC from live-streaming his Saturday headline slot, Rod's set will be live-streamed by the BBC and is a flagship plank of their wall-to-wall coverage. But Neil and Rod will at least have one thing in common other than musical pedigree……model railways. Rod often takes sections of his model railway set on tour with him to pass the time, often booking extra hotel rooms where he installs them on a large table. While he is keeping the trains at home this time, he can at least chat to Saturday night headliner Neil about the subject. A source said: 'Rod will hope that Neil will stick around to the Sunday. They are both train obsessed.' Instead of trains backstage, Rod will have a static bike to warm up his limbs ahead of the performance, as well as a massage. Rod's rider usually entails a large bottle of rum and four bottles of Coca-cola, and he will always enjoy a quick drink before any show. A source said: 'Rod is getting a bit more booze in this time around but the plan, at the moment, is to take the party back to the hotel afterwards. But you never know, Rod may stick around on site but the chances are he will want to get off.' Penny is expected to be side of stage for the performance, which is also expected to feature Rod wearing a series of flamboyant outfits. The insider added: 'She is Rod's biggest fan at the best of times and is just bursting with pride that he will be one of Glastonbury's biggest draws.' Do ya think I'm sexy? Penny certainly does…
