This week’s news and gossip

Main photo Yve Paige

The Scottish Title Race Part one

On Sunday Rod saw Celtic moved to within a point of Premiership leaders Hearts with a 3-1 win over Old Firm rivals Rangers at Parkhead. Tam Morrison got this great shot of Rod and Alastair arriving at the match and both sporting painted nails!

In-form Japanese forward Daizen Maeda scored a brace for Celtic, the second of which was a spectacular overhead kick, as the defending champions recovered from going a goal down early on.

After Hearts drew 1-1 at Motherwell on Saturday night, Celtic knew that a victory was vital if they were to keep the pressure on the Tynecastle outfit going into the final two matches of the season. And they will have gained significant confidence and momentum from this result, one of their best of the season.

Eileen Fletch was at the match and got a couple of brilliant shots

This week’s Rod Art

This week we feature the work of Faculty of Juan Francisco Miranda who is a regular adjunct professor in the graphic design program at Architecture, Design and Urbanism of Buenos Aires University.

Juan did this fantastic caricature of Rod

Juan told SMILER this week “In October 2023, I saw Rod live for the first time in Buenos Aires, and it was like going back to my teenage years. I wanted to pay tribute to the Rod I knew in Camouflage”.

To see more art by Juan go to https://www.instagram.com/mirandajuanox/

Boswell Book Festival

On Friday Penny attended The Boswell Book Festival at Dumfries House King Charles’ Scottish home.

After sharing stories from her life and her memoir, “Someone Like Me”, she made many people’s Friday night special by meeting a long queue of fans and well-wishers!

Author Jacqueline Heron Wray who wrote Crosshouse at War said “The talk from Penny was amazing. What an authentic and grounded lady. She told me that Rod will grab Crosshouse at War first because he loves stories about the war. I wonder if he will leave a review?”

Freedom Of The City Of London

Rod said he is “so proud” of Penny, after she received the Freedom Of The City Of London.

Penny received the accolade at London’s Guildhall on Monday for her work as a City Of London Police special constable and for her charity work with the likes of The King’s Foundation, the Lowe Syndrome Trust, UK Care Of Police Survivors, and Royal National Institute Of Blind People (RNIB).

Sir Rod told the Press Association: “I’m so proud, I don’t know what she sees in me, I’m just a mere knight of the realm, but no it’s well deserved.

“She has a heart of gold, and keeps me in order, and anybody who can keep me in order deserves an honour.”

Penny posted her own message on social media

I am truly humbled and thankful to receive the Freedom of the City of London. It is a true privilege to join a list of notable recipients and to be recognised by such a historic institution. I am delighted to accept this honour which reflects not just my efforts but the dedication of everyone l have had the pleasure to work alongside. look forward to supporting it’s traditions and contributing to the vibrant community that makes this capital so special.

Morgan Studios

The historic recording studio used by Rod to record some of his classic albums could be bulldozed and turned into flats.

The list of famous artists who have recorded at Battery Studios – previously Morgan Studios – in Maybury Gardens reads like a who’s who of the music industry, Lou Reed, Cat Stevens, Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd, The Who and The Kinks also recorded there in the 60s and 70s.

Rod recorded Gasoline Alley (1970), Every Picture Tells a Story (1971), Never a Dull Moment (1972), and Smiler (1974) and also recorded portions of Long Player with the Faces in 1971

Now the building’s owner Russell Park, of Park Investments, has submitted a planning application to demolish the studios and replace it with flats and commercial space which could be “re-provision of music studios, research and development, light industrial, general industrial or storage and distribution”.

The application to Brent Council (26/0497) seeks permission to replace the two‑storey studios with a four‑storey building with commercial space at the ground and basement level, and nine flats above.

Morgan Studios opened in 1967 – co-founded by drummer Barry Morgan, who performed with the likes of David Bowie and Tom Jones.

Under his oversight it grew into a four-studio independent studio complex which served the top artists of the day before two of the studios were sold in 1980 and became Battery Studios.

The Kings Trust Concert

On Monday Rod and Ronnie closed the show at the Kings Trust concert at The Royal Albert Hall

SMILER photographer Yve Paige was at the show to bring us some superb shots

Rob Jewitt was also at the show but was left a little disappointed.. Not long been in doors from The King’s Trust 50th Anniversary Celebration at The Royal Albert Hall in London, where Rod and Ronnie Wood closed the show.

The king and Queen Camilla were joined by Hollywood stars and musicians for the 50th anniversary of the monarch’s youth charity. Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra were joined by a number of stars including Ruby Turner who sung the National Anthem, Tiernán Heffrin (who joined The King’s Trust programme which helped him regain confidence to pursue a career in music and was then noticed by Taylor Swift) Anne-Marie, Rita Ora, Craig David and of course Rod and Ronnie, Fatiha El Ghorri and Tom Davis provided the evenings comedy. The annual King’s Trust Awards were presented by a host of famous people.

I have to be honest here, what was a great night that turned to disappointment at the end when Rod and Ronnie joined the celebrations. Ronnie sung “Ooh La La” with Rod taking the backing vocals. I say “sung” but it was painful, I know Ronnie took the lead vocals on this track on the 1973 Faces album of the same name, and it was passable 53 years ago but not now. Why didn’t Rod sing this? He covered this in 1998 and still sings it occasionally. Note to Rod, if ever you are on the same stage as Ronnie again, please don’t let him sing lead vocal ever again.

Then it was Rods turn, the choice of “Good Rockin’ Tonight” would not of been my choice with Jools’s band behind him, he sounded slightly drowned out. Something like “Almost Like Being in Love” would have been better suited.
So just one song from Rod, I was hopeful for 3 or 4 to close the show. Disappointed with both of Rod and Ronnie’s performance as I know that they are still capable of so much more

But Yve Paige disagreed ..

Now I’ve come back down to earth I just need to say these two Rockers will always hit the spot for me, After reading a few posts is my pennies worth..

I was proud Rod took a step back to let Ronnie take the spot light, Ronnie has played second fiddle to both Rod and Jagger all his life, supporting them when they need him most. He’s a brilliant guitarist and yes he’s not a vocalist but he doesn’t shy away from giving it his all I have so much respect for his music, he is the authentic Rocker on that stage, he’s never changed !

Rod sang swing, which I think suits him and I’m sure that’s the way he’s going to go after 2027, Watching him tonight I felt he was there just to finish off the show, He is always amazing, he did his bit then remembered the bar was still open

Reports on Google say the event will featured on BBC Two and streamed on BBC iPlayer and Radio 2 but no date has been announced yet.

In the line up after the show in a now-deleted video from the Daily Mail’s Rebecca English, Rod told the King, “May I say, well done in the Americas… You were superb. Absolutely superb. You put that little rat bag in his place.”

While others around them including Ronnie laughed at the comment, which presumably refers to US President Donald Trump, the King did not seem to respond to the remark.

Royalty, and especially the monarch, tend to remain politically neutral, and so Charles’ reaction is in line with what he was taught to do in such situations.

On Thursday Rod, Penny and Ronnie and Sally Wood attended The King’s Trust 50th birthday party at Buckingham Palace

Rod and Penny also met Jill Collins and Phil Collins

And Brain May and Anita Dobson

Rod Stewart Radio

Fan site STORYTELLER is now presenting Rod Stewart Radio on its own domain. From www.rod-stewart-radio.com, you can now enjoy Rod Stewart music round the clock. 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we present Rod’s greatest hits, live recordings, rare tracks and remixes, as well as excerpts from interviews. All completely free and with a brand-new design.

Rod Stewart Radio is also incredibly easy to install as an app on your Android smartphone. Open the website rod-stewart-radio.com in the Google Chrome app, then click on the three-dot menu in the top right-hand corner and select ‘Add to home screen’ from the drop-down menu. You then have the option to add a shortcut to your home screen or install the site as a standalone app on your smartphone. On an iPhone, the process is similar: open the site in the Safari browser, then tap the share icon and select “Add to Home Screen”.

The Scottish Title Race Part Two

On Wednesday Celtic travelled to Motherwell while Hearts were playing at home to Falkirk

​Hearts and Celtic both won on a dramatic night to take the Scottish Premiership title race down to the final day, where they play each other at Parkhead

Hearts, bidding to win a first league title since 1960, were on course to take a three-point advantage and a superior goal difference to Celtic Park for a final day shoot-out after beating Falkirk 3-0, but Celtic secured an incredible title lifeline as Kelechi Iheanacho’s controversially awarded 99th-minute penalty earned a win at Motherwell that leaves them a point behind Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts before the sides meet in Glasgow on Saturday.

Martin O’Neill’s side had recovered from Motherwell’s opener to lead just before the hour, only for their hosts to level in the 85th minute.

At that stage, the defending champions would have needed to beat Hearts by three goals at Celtic Park on the final day to retain their title.

But, deep into injury time, Celtic defender Auston Trusty went down claiming he had been caught by a stray elbow. Referee John Beaton was sent to the monitor and ultimately awarded a spot-kick for handball.

Iheanacho kept his composure to roll in the penalty, spark chaotic scenes and leave Celtic knowing that a win of any kind on Saturday will make them champions.

Rod was spotted enjoying dinner at Da Claudio Restaurant in Motherwell by broadcaster and friend Tam Cowan, with Da Claudio sharing a picture of the pair alongside staff, writing: “Delighted to welcome back @sirrodstewart and @therealtamcowan tonight! Thank you for dining with us and for having the patience to take a million photos.”

While in Scotland Rod paid a visit to The Angels Hotel in Uddingston in South Lanarkshire where he honoured Celtic legend Harry Hood

Rod was presented with a framed photograph celebrating Harry Hood and Moussa Dembele’s iconic hat-tricks against Rangers in the Scottish League Cup semi-final, Sir Rod called it “Harry Hood’s Angels Hotel” — a touching tribute to a true Celtic great.

This photograph now proudly hangs in Angels Hotel as lasting memory🍀

Siobhan Edwards, daughter of Harry Hood, said on behalf of the family, “It was a great honour and privilege to know that Sir Rod remembered our late father. He met our father and mother in France a few years before Dad passed away, and we have a wonderful photograph of Sir Rod with our father from that evening.”

And Finally..

While Rod was at the Celtic game Penny went to the screening of Disney plus The Rivals series two at the BFI IMAX in London

And ended the week with a guest slot on Vanessa on 5 this morning with Lord JJ Anisiøbi and Chris Packham

Don’t forget “Forever Young: A Grammy Salute to Rod Stewart Live” will be available to stream on Paramount+ in the UK, following its US premiere on CBS on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. While it airs live in the US, UK viewers can catch the two-hour special via the streaming platform.

See you next week …