Konk
Rod started this week in Konk recording studio in London
Kevin Savigar posted this photo but despite Brian Gibson asking what was being recorded refused to give us any clues
Konk Studios is one of London’s longest standing independently owned studios. It was established in the early 1970s by The Kinks as their private studio and opened up to outside acts a few years later with the likes of the Bay City Rollers, Thin Lizzy, and the Bee Gees working here.
The studio grew largely from word of mouth, expanding the list of incredible artists that have visited Konk over the years such as; Depeche Mode, The Stone Roses, Massive Attack and more recently The Arctic Monkeys, Bombay Bicycle Club and Joy Crookes, to name a few.
Ray Williams later posted a shot of Emerson Swinford and Curt Schneider. Emerson Lead guitar and Curt Bass and co-producer for Rod Stewart’s new album.
And Ash Soan also posted a shot from the session
Rod also gave a little more away on Thursday when he phoned in to his mate Alam Brazil on TalkSport..
Over to Martin Heidt..
Live on the radio: Rod announces classic rock album
What does a rock star do on a rainy Thursday morning? That’s right, he simply calls his favourite radio station and chats casually with the presenter on air.
That’s what happened today when music legend Rod Stewart dialled the number of online sports radio station talkSPORT and was immediately put through to presenter Alan Brazil on the live programme.
The two initially chatted about Scottish football and the future role of Celtic manager Martin O’Neill at the club. Brazil then drifted onto the subject of the Super Bowl and asked Rod what he thought of Latin rapper Bad Bunny, who is set to perform at the Super Bowl in the USA this coming Sunday. ‘I’ve never heard of him,’ said the presenter. ‘Well, he probably hasn’t heard of you either,’ Rod replied with a laugh, before revealing that he had spent the last few weeks in the studio. “We’ve been working on a new album and will be finished with it tomorrow. Then I’m flying to Florida at the end of the week, where I’ll be performing in a few casinos. It will also be filmed for next year’s Grammys. Everything is going wonderfully for me, I’ll be playing around 70 concerts this year.‘ When asked by the presenter what kind of album it would be, Rod replied, ’It will be a classic rock “n” roll album, very closely based on the beginning of my career.”
This week’s Rod Art
This week we feature the work of Essex Caricature Artist Steve Hearn who not only drew Rod but presented him with the finished sketch
Steve has been hired to draw by such clients as the BBC, ITV, Apple and many other big name companies!
Steve appeared on the Mel and Sue show, on ITV1, drawing Paul Hollywood live on air!
Steve is also proud to have appeared on the BBC for a special performance for the show ‘The Slammer!’ The show aired on BBC HD and CBBC!
Talking about the Rod caricature Steve told SMILER this week “I was booked to draw for a small intimate party by very close friends of Rod and of course he was there along with Penny and the boys as guests and I had great fun by drawing everyone as a caricaturist, with Rod asking me to draw him as well!”
To see more of Steve’s work go to https://www.instagram.com/drawn4u/ or https://www.drawn4u.com/
Rod concert in València
On June 30, 2026, the Roig Arena will be dressed to the nines to welcome one of the most iconic voices in rock history: Rod Stewart.
Rod is stopping in València as part of his latest tour.
For tickets go to https://www.roigarena.com/es/event/rod-stewart-20260630/
HELLO!
This week’s HELLO! magazine features all the photos from A King’s Vision premier which will be available on Amazon Prime Video from 6 February, is a “deeply personal” project for the British monarch, who is not only opening up his castle to host his very own film premiere, but opening up personally on camera and offering us an unprecedented insight into his personality, lifestyle and the deep-rooted passions that inform his vision for the future of our planet.
It’s a film about sustainability and harmony with nature, and it is arguably the most human insight into Charles that the public has ever seen. Finding Harmony portrays the King, who appears on our cover this week in an image shared exclusively with HELLO!, as we have never seen him before, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into his private world and the man behind the crown.
What’s On
PRESENTED BY THIRTEEN & CHATEAU DENMARK IN ASSOCIATION WITH WOLFIE’S WHISKY
Saturday, 7th February from 8pm until very, very late.
In honour of a damn good time Thirteen & Chateau Denmark get together to present ‘One Late Night Hellraising Bash’. Our signature rocknroll night comes back with full force. Join us as Amazonica (The Libertines, Grandmaster Flash & MGK) spins the finest cuts, a literal feast of good time rocknroll. Later, performing live, we’re joined by Hot Property – once London’s best-kept secret. The band are redefining rock ‘n’ roll for a new generation – off the back of their hugely successful debut tour, laced with the raw energy and striking style of icons that came before. They’re becoming impossible to ignore.
Arrivals: Doors from 8pm.
Address: Thirteen, 1-3 Denmark Street, London, WC2H 8LP.
Entry is free and you can book through the website here, spaces are limited.
This event is part of Chateau Denmark and Thirteen’s cultural programme which you can find out more about see What’s On.
Fitba
On Tuesday Rod was delighted to see Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts defeated 1-0 by St Mirren at the SMISA stadium as the Edinburgh side were reduced to ten men in the first half.
Miguel Freckleton’s header on the 88th minute sealed the three points for the Buddies despite a gutsy defensive performance from Hearts who had Craig Halkett sent off for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity.
Hearts remained six points ahead of Celtic and Rangers for now
Celtic were unable to pull even more points back on Wednesday when their away match to Aberdeen was postponed due to the bad weather
Speaking on talkSPORT with Alan Brazil the following dayi the conversation with Rod inevitably reached Celtic’s winter transfer window.
Rod said: “Our signings – and I think I’m going to upset a lot of our supporters – I think our signings have been pretty good.
“To sign a player on loan with an option to buy, which I think two of them are, then if they’re no good, you kick them out, and if they are good, you buy them.”
On O’Neill’s comments about taking the job, Rod added: “No, I don’t think he wants it.
“I think he’s aged a bit since he’s been looking after Celtic, so I don’t blame him if he wants to pack it in. He wants to go out in glory, I think.
“I think we’re still gonna win [the league].”
On the idea of O’Neill being added to the board, he said: “Oh, that would be wonderful. But he’s only being honest with the way he feels.”
And Finally…
For this year’s Record Store Day, taking place April 18 at independent record stores nationwide Rod is putting out a new limited edition of 3000 copies version of his 1975 album Atlantic Crossing, pressed on tidal wave vinyl. Titled Alternate Atlantic Crossing, it includes 10 rare, alternate versions of the original album’s tracks
Tracklist
Side A
- Three Time Loser (Alternate Version)
- Alright For An Hour (Alternate Version)
- All In The Name Of Rock ‘n’ Roll (Alternate Version)
- Drift Away (Alternate Version)
- Too Much Noise (Early Version Of “Stone Cold Sober”)
Side B - I Don’t Want To Talk About It (Alternate Version)
- It’s Not The Spotlight (Alternate Version)
- This Old Heart Of Mine (Alternate Version)
- Still Love You (Alternate Version)
- Sailing (Alternate Version)
More news coming soon
Gone a day early this week due to a big weekend ahead but we will see you next week…