This week’s news and gossip

Main photo Duesenberg Guitars

Quarterrback Arena, Leipzig

On Friday Rod was back in Germany to play The Quarterrback Arena, Leipzig SMILER photographer Marc Baulisch-Steines was on hand to bring us more superb photos and we also have some great shots from Silke Mock and Lars Knobbe also here are the thoughts of Martin Heidt

No more boos: Leipzig loves Rod again
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​It was the big controversy of the 2024 tour – Sir Rod’s performance at the Quarterback Arena last summer. When the singer announced his hit ‘Rhythm Of My Heart’ with a statement in support of Ukraine and a clear ‘Fuck Putin’ shout, the Leipzig audience reacted with whistles and boos. It was a topic that occupied the media throughout Germany for days.
A year later, however, there was no sign of criticism from the audience. The whole arena celebrated Rod ‘one more time’ and enjoyed a magnificent evening, without any political overtones.

Still elated by Celtic Football Club’s victory in Rotterdam the night before, the singer landed at Halle/Leipzig Airport in his jet early on Friday afternoon and, after cheerfully and relaxed signing autographs for a few waiting fans, was driven into the city.

At 8 pm sharp, Sir Rod took to the stage at the Quarterback Immobilien Arena, which was sold out with around 12,000 spectators, and kicked off a lively evening with ‘Infatuation’ and his 1981 hit ‘Tonight I’m Yours’. The fans were up on their feet early on, the arena quickly turned into a dance hall, and ‘Twistin’ The Night Away’ provided the perfect musical backdrop.
After ‘It Takes Two,’ Rod, who as always cracked a few jokes and interacted with the fans in the front rows, slowed down the tempo a little. With ‘The First Cut Is The Deepest’ and ‘Tonight’s The Night’, the fans were able to really swoon for the first time, before the evening continued at full throttle with ‘Forever Young’, ‘Baby Jane’, ‘Young Turks’ and ‘Maggie May’. Rod’s perfect band contributed as usual to a successful evening (‘Lady Marmalade’ and ‘I’m So Excited’). When the obligatory signed footballs were kicked or thrown into the audience during ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy’, the lively evening came to an end far too soon for many.

Sailing’ and ‘Love Train’ brought the curtain down on around two hours of top-class entertainment.

Many fans would have loved to enjoy Stewart’s hits for even longer and were reluctant to leave the arena. Some stood together in groups, reviewing the evening’s events in conversation. Others treated themselves to a quick ‘cold one’ at the drinks stands, as many spectators’ voices had suffered greatly from singing along non-stop.
Still others grabbed a souvenir at the merchandise stand before the arena emptied and the fans ended the evening in one of the city’s pubs.

SAP Arena, Mannheim

On Saturday it was the second show in Germany this time Rod was playing SAP Arena, Mannheim .

SMILER photographer Marc Baulisch-Steines was on hand to bring us more fantastic shots and here are the thoughts of Martin Heidt

​9,000 fans thrilled by the master of casual entertainment
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​Give him a stage, hand him a microphone, and the man delivers top-notch entertainment. That was the case yesterday, Saturday, at the SAP Arena in Mannheim. 9,000 fans came to see their Sir Rod live one more time and were rewarded with a slightly modified but still rousing programme.
Compared to the previous day’s performance in Leipzig, the singer changed his set list ‘in a few places’, to use football jargon, and this time kicked off with Robert Palmer’s classic ‘Addicted To Love’, followed by his hits ‘You Wear It Well’ and ‘Ooh La La’, which he recorded with the Faces at the time.

By the time ‘Havin’ A Party’ came around, no one in the audience was left sitting. There was dancing, swaying and swaying. And Sir Rod provided the musical accompaniment, joking with the fans in the front rows, flirting with a female fan here, then waving to a slightly greying gentleman seconds later.

The fans, most of whom spent their Sturm und Drang years with the man on stage, revelled in old memories, especially during songs like ‘It’s A Heartache’, ‘Tonight’s The Night’ and ‘The First Cut Is The Deepest’. Many of them surely still remember where they were or what they were doing when they first heard ‘Maggie May’ on the radio or who they danced the clamper blues to ‘Sailing’ with in the party cellar back then.
A Rod Stewart concert, as all of yesterday’s attendees will confirm, is a journey through 60 years of music history and, in most cases, through one’s own life.

Rod once again impressed with powerful rock numbers such as ‘Young Turks’ and ‘Hot Legs’, but also shone with his soulful ballads such as ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’ and ‘I Don’t Want To Talk About It’. This man simply enjoys being on stage and doing what he does. This rubs off on his audience and makes for unforgettable evenings.

In its concert review, the newspaper ‘Mannheimer Morgen’ described Sir Rod as the ‘master of casual entertainment’ and attested that he had ‘just stepped out of the fountain of youth’. And with that, the paper struck a chord with the fans. One visitor raved: “The concert was just great. For someone who is almost 81 years old, Rod Stewart put on a great show. His singing was also fantastic.‘ Another said: ’I’m primarily a fan of Peter Maffay, but my friends took me along today and I’m really thrilled. It was a top-notch show. Hats off to what Rod still brings to the stage at 80. It was just awesome.”
Setlist:

Addicted To Love
You Wear It Well
Ooh La La
Havin’ A Party
It’s A Heartache
Rollin’ And Tumblin’
Forever Young
The First Cut Is The Deepest
Tonight’s The Night
Maggie May
I’d Rather Go Blind
Young Turks
Downtown Train
I’m Every Woman (Band only)
Reason To Believe
I Don’t Want To Talk About It
Have I Told You Lately
Proud Mary (Band only)
Baby Jane
It Takes Two
Some Guys Have All The Luck
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy
Hot Legs
Sailing
Love Train

While at the SAP Arena Rod met Kristin Lauterbach who got some cool shots and her hand kissed by Sir Rod

Duesenberg Guitars

Duesenberg Guitars presented Rod with a Double Cat custom guitar in white so they did exactly that and added gold hardware and then surprised him with it in Hamburg last week.

Rod loved it! especially the Celtic FC branding lasered on the pot knobs.
It was played that evening on stage by his guitarist Don Kirkpatrick.

Pictured above in the main photo is Sir Rod with the Double Cat custom guitar in white.

Wolfie’s at Gall and Gall Holland

Rod confirmed last week that Wolfie’s  was about to launch in the Netherlands. In a social media post Rod attempted to make his announcement in Dutch, before joking: “I’m British!”

He continued: “This is Rod Stewart, the well-known rock singer. And this is my whisky, which goes on sale here in the Netherlands at Gall and Gall.”

A caption shared by Wolfie’s read: “Wolfie’s by rock legend Rod Stewart is now available at Gall & Gall! And who better to promote that than Sir Rod himself?”

Best Bar Non..The Rod Stewart bar

Is this one of the best bars you have ever seen?

David Janart and his wife have a vacation renting house in the Belgian Ardennen. where they made made a Rod Stewart bar.

The bar is decorated with Rod Stewart items. A white satin jacket by André Van Pier Rod worn by Rod in the beginning of the 80’s and a collection of footballs that were caught by David during five decades of concerts he has have attended, the first was on The Body Wishes tour of 1983 at Brussels Belgium, plus many other items of memorabilia.

The bar even boasts a special gin bottle made for the grand opening of the bar that David held for his friends.

David told SMILER this week “I would be oh so happy and proud if the white satin jacket frame could be signed by sir Rod Stewart, All the upcoming residents in the bar wouldn’t believe their eyes!!”

“This would be another huge highlight for me, the other one was during the Rotterdam concert in ahoy 2007 where I threw a Celtic jacket on the stage during ‘You’re in my Heart’ and Rod picked it up and put in on Istill can enjoy watching this”

Fane Event

On Sunday Penny was hosting her Q&A event at Underbelly in Soho to promote her book Someone Like Me

Special guest in the audience was Sir Rod and Jules Stretton, Jackie Bearman and Rachel Blackburn MBE both all got to chat with him and get some special photos

Jackie told SMILER this week “Meeting Rod was a wonderful moment, that I have waited 40 years for”

Adding “Penny was the most wonderful person, she spoke so honestly and it was a magical evening”

Jules told SMILER “I’ve waited over 40 years to get that photo with Rod. I showed him my tattoo where he signed my arm and he cheered like crazy! We were cracking up ! He’s so funny !!”

City Christmas Fair

On Monday Penny was at the City Christmas Fair for another book signing and supporting Wellbeing For Women

What’s on

On Monday 8th December Penny will be doing a reading at The Kings Trust carol concert

At The Holy Trinity Church, Sloan Square, London SW1X 9BZ 6-30 -8PM

“The King’s Trust Carol Concert is a wonderful way to welcome the festive season at the beautiful St Paul’s Church Knightsbridge. As a very proud Ambassador of The Trust, I am honoured to take part in this year’s concert, celebrating the work of The King’s Trust to support young people across the UK”.
– King’s Trust Ambassador Colin Salmon

Tickets have sold out, but you don’t have to miss the magic!
Tune in to the broadcast on Magic Classical on @magicfm at 7pm on Christmas Eve.

Lanxess Arena

On Tuesday Rod and The band were at The Lanxess Arena in Köln, Germany SMILER photographer Marc Baulisch-Steines was at the show again and here are the thoughts of Martin Heidt

Cologne’s concert insight: A world without Rod Stewart is unimaginable​​​

People love to party on the Rhine, especially in Cologne. And not just when there’s football or carnival season. This was proven once again yesterday evening by 15,000 spectators at the sold-out concert by music legend Rod Stewart at the Lanxess Arena. The arena management presented Sir Rod with a well-deserved Sold Out Award.

People love to party on the Rhine, especially in Cologne. And not just when there’s football or carnival season. This was proven once again yesterday evening by 15,000 spectators at the sold-out concert by music legend Rod Stewart at the Lanxess Arena. The arena management presented Sir Rod with a well-deserved Sold Out Award.

Following performances in Hamburg, Leipzig and Mannheim, the 80-year-old Brit presented his fourth show in Germany this autumn in the cathedral city, having already performed in Dortmund and Bremen in the spring.

Under the slogan ‘One More Time’, Sir Rod presented his greatest hits from around 60 years in the Lanxess Arena, which was sold out except for a few seats. Starting with the opener ‘Infatuation’ through ‘This Old Heart Of Mine’ and ‘Tonight’s The Night’ to ‘Maggie May’, ‘I Don’t Want To Talk About It’ and ‘Sailing’ – the man with the stubbly hair and distinctive raspy voice had the arena and his fans in the palm of his hand from the very first beat. The great atmosphere in the interior and in the stands spread to the stage, where Sir Rod – supported by his fantastic band – radiated good humour and turned the evening into a real happening with powerful performances.

Stewart, who arrived in Cologne from London that afternoon, conveyed in Cologne that he has a lot of fun doing what he does, and as a true entertainer, he knows how to convey that to his audience. Not every note is perfect anymore, his voice is no longer what it was 10 or 20 years ago, and his movements are now more dignified and age-appropriate. But Sir Rod glosses over the minor hiccups during the two-hour show with his well-known charm and a good dose of humour. A single blown kiss, a quick wave, a wiggle of the hips, and his fans cheer him on enthusiastically. Sir Rod has always been able to rely on his stage presence and his great entertainment skills.

When announcing his song ‘I Don’t Want To Talk About It’, Rod told the audience: ‘I’m getting my hair cut tomorrow’ and emphasised how good singing is for the heart, lungs and soul, asking the fans to join in loudly. ‘Come on Cologne, let me hear you sing!’

And the Cologne crowd did not disappoint him. With great fervour, the 15,000-strong choir belted out the chorus throughout the arena, which is known in Cologne as the ‘Henkelmännchen’ (little man with a handle) because of the semicircular arch on the roof that is visible from afar. Goosebumps spread throughout the crowd.

The unique atmosphere in the arena did not go unnoticed by the journalists in attendance. The writers rated Stewart’s performance in the cathedral city as top notch (if there is such a thing) and were full of praise for the two hours from ‘Infatuation’ to ‘Love Train’. The Express from Cologne described Rod as a ‘show-off’ and ‘party animal’ who, based on his performance in Cologne, should definitely not be thinking about retirement.

The Aachener Zeitung ran the headline: ‘Full throttle in Dolce & Gabbana’, the WAZ from Essen attested that Sir Rod was ‘in dazzling form’ and the Rheinische Post from Düsseldorf made it clear in its concert review: ‘A world without Rod Stewart concerts is unimaginable’.

The latter statement in particular is likely to be agreed with wholeheartedly by the numerous fans who made their way home late on Tuesday evening, still inspired and with the sounds of ‘Sailing’ ringing in their ears, or who ended the evening in one of the many pubs in the old town.

A world without Rod Stewart and his inspiring shows is basically unimaginable, and so many of the visitors hoped that the singer, who flew off into the dark night shortly after midnight from Cologne/Bonn Airport towards London, would come back again. One More Time, in fact.

Set list:

Infatuation

Tonight I’m Yours

Twistin’ The Night Away

It Takes Two

This Old Heart Of Mine

The First Cut is The Deepest

Tonight’s The Night

Forever Young

Baby Jane

Young Turks

Maggie May

I’d Rather Go Blind

Downtown Train

I’m So Excited (band only)

I Don’t Want To Talk About It

You’re In My Heart

People Get Ready

Have I Told You Lately

Proud Mary (band only)

Da Ya Think I’m Sexy

Some Guys Have All The Luck

Hot Legs

Sailing

Love Train

Pictured below is Sir Rod with Stefan Löcher from The Lanxess Arena

While at the Lanxess Arena Rod met ex Celtic and Holland star Glenn Loovens

This week’s Rod Art

Get your rocks off honey….

This we feature the work of Jenna Goble a crafter from Tennessee, among the craft work she producers are painted rocks and she painted these great rocks for SMILER member the Mad Hatter Vicky Phillips Marrow.

Talking about her rocks Jenna said “I made this for a friend who loves Rod Stewart and has so many neat pictures from his various concerts…I am not good at faces or tiny details (the paint markers are kind of like trying to draw with a worn out crayon 🤭,) but she likes it and that’s all that matters 💕

We think she has done a great job

Signed Art Print Winners

Our two winners in the Chis Burn signed art print competition are Allison Davies from Dorset UK and Denis Connor-Moran from Greater Manchester UK.

Well done in getting your name and address correct and your printa are on the way..Enjoy!

If you want to buy a signed print or even the original portrait or you want more information you can contact Chris on [email protected] or message him via https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067303029955&locale=en_GB

Win Rod tickets from Wolfie’s on Storyteller

Attention Rod fans in Germany! Win two tickets to the sold-out @sirrodstewart concert in Munich on Sunday exclusively with @wolfieswhisky, @lidlde and @storytellerrodstewart. All information below:

storyteller-rod-stewart.com/wolfie-s

#rodstewart#sirrodstewart#storyteller#itsallaboutrod#allrodallday#wolfies

RIP Steve Cropper

On Wednesday the sad news came through that Steve Cropper had passed away, Steve was a great friend of SMILER helping many times with articles and giving us an extensive interview in 2011, Printed below is part of the introduction I wrote to the interview with Steve’e guidance

Following the release of ‘Smiler’, Rod moved his recording operations to America and recorded an album with a line-up of all American musicians. He had always dreamed of working with the musicians that had backed his heroes on the Stax record label and with this in mind Mo Austin and Joe Smith at Warner Brothers contacted producer Tom Dowd and asked if he would be interested in producing Rod.

Dowd had worked with some of Rod’s favourite artists, including Aretha Franklin, Arthur Conley, Sam & Dave and, most significantly of all, Otis Redding. Rod was delighted when the producer told him he could get the musicians that had backed them all – including seasoned professionals such as Steve Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn and Al Jackson. Rod could hardly believe it! He had seen them all as a 17 year-old when he went to a Booker T & The MG’s gig at London’s Hammersmith Odeon and had been a fan ever since.

Dowd had been to see the Faces live and although he thought the band had an extraordinary relationship with their audience, he thought it would be difficult to capture them at their best on a recording. From that moment on, the seeds for ‘Atlantic Crossing’ were sewn.

Arguably the greatest soul guitarist of all time, Steve Cropper was born in Dora, Missouri, in 1941. He did everything at Stax from selling records at the Satellite Record Shop, developing his recording technique skills and playing the guitar (and sometimes piano) on numerous Stax records. He composed the music for hits such as ‘In The Midnight Hour,’ ‘Knock On Wood’, ‘Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay’, ‘Soul Man’ and ‘Mr Pitiful’.

Steve first hit the charts with his band the Mar-Keys in 1961 with ‘Last Night’. A year later he teamed up with Booker T Jones, Lewis Steinberg (later replaced by Donald “Duck” Dunn) and Al Jackson to form Booker T & The MG’s. The band scored the timeless hits ‘Green Onions’, ‘Time is Tight’, and ‘Soul Limbo’.

On leaving Stax in the early seventies, Steve created various independent studios and production companies. Today, he is well known as a part of the Blues Brothers Band and can be seen in the cult film ‘The Blues Brothers’ and its sequel.

Steve went on to work on 4 albums with Rod Atlantic Crossing, A Night On The Town, Footloose and Fancy Free and Every Beat Of My Heart

Members can read the interview and Steve’s thoughts on Rod and the albums here https://www.rodstewartfanclub.com/smiler_article/stone-cold-sober-the-steve-cropper-interview/?swcfpc=1

Rock In Rio Lisboa

Rock In Rio Lisboa announced that Rod will be this years headliner on 27th June, 2026 and now he will be joined by Cyndi Lauper  has been added to the line up along with 4 Non Blondes, and Joss Stone. 

Rock In Rio is a multi-genre festival originally from Brazil. It was first created by Roberto Medina who dreamed it up in 1985, when the country was taking its first steps towards democracy. The dream became a reality – and a success – and it celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025. Since that very first festival over a decade ago it has expanded internationally; this year they also celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Lisbon iteration.

To get your tickets –Tickets priced from €89,00

Small Steps

Check out the Small Steps charity auction including Ronnie Wood’s worn and signed shoes, which is now live! https://www.charitystars.com/…/ronnie-wood-s-worn-and…

Rod phones talkSPORT

As Wilfried Nancy took over the management roll at Celtic, Rod phoned in to the talkSPORT breakfast show, to reacted to the end of Martin O’Neill’s short reign admitting that he wished that O’Neill could stay on for longer.

But he firstly admitted that he wouldn’t be at Nancy’s first game on Sunday, saying: “I don’t think I’m going to be there, as I’m still in the middle of a tour.

“I’m still in Mannheim, and then I’m off to Zurich and Munich at the weekend, so I’m going to miss it. But I’ll get it on Celtic TV, I’ll be there in spirit.

“I wish [Martin O’Neill] could [have stayed], but I don’t think it was possible.

“I wish he could just stay behind the scenes, because he’s done something to those players. You know, Rei Hatate, especially, believes in himself again, and he’s played on fire.

“So it would be wonderful if we would keep him.

“I don’t think everybody thought he was going to do so well.

“I think Celtic would’ve kept him. He’s just turned everything around so quickly. Quite a genius, wonderful.

“I think he had a bit of a lump in his throat last night. Did you see how many of the supporters stayed behind?”

talking about rivals Rangers Rod also told presenter Alan Brazil ‘I’m speechless. This manager Rohl, or whatever his name is, coming in, promised all sorts… I think you can’t blame the manager.

“I think he has got a lot of players who don’t want to be there or are sub-standard and he has got to knock them into shape. For the first time you and I, Alan, must feel a little bit sorry for the Rangers fans. They are still coughing up money, going to see them. It’s pretty bleak over at Ibrox.”

Pictured above is Rod while watching Celtic in Rotterdam last week, Dutch Politician Vlad Grigorean bumped into him and was pleased to get this great photo.

RIP Tetsu

As we post this weeks N & G we are hearing the very sad news that former Faces bass player Tetsu Yamauchi. has passed away in Japan

Everyone at SMILER”s thoughts and prayers go out to all those who knew and loved him.
He will be missed by us all ..He was one of the great bass players.

And Finally…

Don’t forget to check out Anita Rani on Sunday who was delighted to visit Rod and Penny at their stunning mansion to learn what the festive season means to them for the first episode in a new run of BBC1’s My Life at Christmas, on Sunday 7th December at 10.30am: And if you are attending Hallenstadion Wallisellenstrasse, Zürich, Switzerland tonight or Olympiastadion München Spiridon-Louis, München, German on December 7th or Wiener Stadthalle Wien, Austria on December 9th Have a great time and please send in any photos or thoughts

See you next week….