In 1984, Paolo Hewitt met and interviewed Rod and has regretted it ever since. Why? Paolo says: “Because I did not honour the man who meant so much to me as a kid growing up. The man deserved better, and forty-two years later, I have the chance to make amends. I have written a small book – three and a half thousand words long – and here are the opening paragraphs…”
Rod, I know what I should have done now.
I should have walked into that Wembley rehearsal room, told you to stand up, and then I should have hugged you. I should have said,
‘Rod Stewart, thank you. Thank you so much. You have no idea what you and your band The Faces, and your music meant to me in the seventies.
‘When I first met you, I was thirteen years old, and I lived in a children’s home. I was massively depressed, and blackness surrounded my whole being.
‘And then you came along to save me. You gave me identity, you gave me purpose, but above all, you made me see that there was another world out there, one I could aspire to. Do you know how you did it? Of course, you don’t.
‘Here’s how…’
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