This week’s news and gossip

Rod Donates VIP night

Rod has donated a VIP night at one of his concerts at the Hydro, Glasgow, on November 29 and December 3 for cancer stricken Rangers legend Andy Goram.

Tam Cowan who writes a column in the Scottish Daily Record is hosting a charity dinner and Rod wanted to help, Two tickets, which will include meeting Rod, will be auctioned at Airdrie Working Men’s Club on June 22.

Andy Goram revealed to the Daily Record last month that he had been diagnosed with terminal oesophageal cancer after thinking he had indigestion, The Rangers goalkeeper said doctors told him he had six months to live, which was later cut to six weeks.

Rod got in touch with Tam after he joked about Rod’s off-key performance last week at the Platinum Jubilee party.

Tam said: “Rod had a giggle about my column. He said he was hoarse because he was recovering from Covid.

“It’s amazing that he that has put up a meet and greet for Andy.”

Tam also posted his Jokey reply to getting the news of Rod’s donation, Maybe Elton will be in touch with him this week?

Elvis has left the building…With Love!

Another one having a go about Rod having to sing Sweet Caroline this week was Elvis Costello who blasted the Royal Platinum Jubilee concert as “sh**e” and ranted about Rod being asked to sing the song.

Speaking to his audience in Glasgow Costello said: “I was in Brighton the other night when the Jubilee was happening.”

After being met with a chorus of boos, he added: “But the show was good, wasn’t it? Wasn’t it? No, it was s***e.” adding “I mean, I know you all love him and he’s one of yours and everything, but Rod. What the f***?

“I must say, listen we all have bad nights vocally, but for f***‘s sake,

Sweet F***ing Caroline.

“Are you f***ing kidding me?

“I mean I’ve been in showbusiness 45 years so I do know a thing or two. How is it that nobody suggested Rod sing You Wear It Well?”

According to The Daily Mirror Costello also had a pop at Diana Ross..

“Listen, Diana Ross had a whole playlist of songs that would have fitted the occasion: You Keep Me Hanging On, I’m Living In Shame. I’m not saying Love Child.

“You never heard it from me.”

Luckily we know Elvis is a fan of Rod’s music or he wouldn’t be getting his copy of SMILER Issue 101 through his letter box when we post them out!

Later in the week Elvis clarified what he was reported to have said and hit back: ‘This is typical Mirror shite. If you read my actual remark, it about the wrong-headed idea of asking Sir Rod pass up “You Wear It Well” to lead a fucking singalong. Ms. Ross is deity. Have some damn respect. I was joking about the many uncomfortable choices that were overlooked’.

Rod had already taken to Twitter with a response to Elvis, though…

‘Yes my voice was rough cos of Covid. I apologise, I though it better to make an appearance rather than let everyone down so sorry. ‘By the way, where’s your hair gone mate????? Sir Rod.‘

To which Elvis replied…

‘Dear Lord Stewart. You know I love you. Think the Queen would have loved You Wear It Well or even Hot Legs.

‘As to gigs, I had a stinker the other night in Liverpool. They come and go, like hair, which I keep sewn in my hat. Up The Republic. Elvis O.rrible B.loody E.erbet.’

Fathers Day Video

Rod is releasing a special Fathers Day video this week for the song Touchline taken from his acclaimed album The Tears Of Hercules, The track and video are a heartfelt dedication to his Leith, Edinburgh-born father Robert.

Speaking about the tribute to his father this week Rod said: “If you know anything about me you know that our dad’s love of football has most definitely left its impact on me and my brothers and I’m delighted that it’s now such an important part of my children’s lives as well.

He added: “The song Touchline was my tribute to him and I’m so happy and moved that the new video takes that to the ultimate level just in time for Father’s Day.

Rod also said he would play a very special show in Edinburgh on November13th in honour of his late father. with the venue yet to be confirmed.

This Weeks Rod Art

This week we present a fabulous unusual piece of art by Erin Lee from Virginia Beach, VA, USA who runs ErinLee Arts.

Erin started ErinLee Arts officially in 2017 when she picked up the paintbrush again after having set it down for nearly 12 years. Speaking to SMILER this week Erin said “The artwork was created by me, it was hand painted on wood canvas, then hand embellished with recycled glass for unique texture and shine, and topped with a glossy/glass like top coat. I was inspired to create this for a huge Rod Stewart fan, and knew this photo of him would be perfect for the look I was going for.. black and white with a pop of red to really make him stand out”.

To see more of Erin’s work go to https://www.instagram.com/erinlee_arts/?hl=en

Or visit her website https://www.erinleearts.com/

US Tour Kicks Off

Rod kicked off his 2022 North American tour on Tuesday at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles with special guests Cheap Trick.

Once again opening the show with his tribute to Robert Palmer ‘Addicted to Love’ like previously done in Las Vegas.

Set List..

Addicted to Love

You Wear It Well

Ooh La La

Having a Party

It Takes Two

Some Guys Have All the Luck

Forever Young

The First Cut Is the Deepest

I’d Rather Go Blind

Maggie May

Young Turks

Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?

Rhythm of My Heart

Call Me [band]

I Don’t Want to Talk About It

Handbags and Gladrags

Tonight’s the Night

You’re In My Heart

Have I Told You Lately

Hot Stuff [band]

Baby Jane

Sweet Little Rock & Roller

Bill Stahr who was at the show said ‘Sir Rod & the Tricksters at the Bowl, oh my! And a souvenir too! They were cooking tonight!‘ Bill’s Souvenir was a signed football and Bill also took our amazing main photo.

Donna Holden and her girlfriends proved blondes do have more Fun and brought some Hollywood glamour to the night by enjoying the evening with some very VIP guests..Rod’s son Sean, daughter Kimberley plus Rod’s two ex-wives Alana and Rachel.

Pascale Groulier also had a very special night and got this fantastic photo taken with Rod.

Speaking to SMILER this week Pascale sent a message to Rod saying “Rod you were amazing at the Hollywood Bowl, the girls were fantastic too. I enjoyed very much our meeting, Thank You, You’re so kind and funny. Much love, Pascale Groulier”

The band celebrated with a chippy tea round at Rod’s place..

Ok maybe they had more than a chippy tea!!

Review By Harry Zimmerman – Rod sounded great..but ..

Interesting comments from Photographer Harry Zimmerman who was hoping for a more rock set but still enjoyed the party and took some stunning photographs that he has shared with SMILER..

Rod Stewart’s show at The Hollywood Bowl was an odd sort of bridge from his nastier rock ’n roll legacy to more of a “Vegasy,” Tony Bennett type of show. Since this was a road tour outside of his residency, I had hoped for more of the former. He even SAT DOWN with his large band and backup singers for the last half dozen or more songs! Perhaps I’m spoiled by Mick and the Stones, but they are the exception as 70+ years of hard living does catch up with most older rockers revealing them as mortals. Not that I’m complaining about the preponderance of hot leggy blondes dancing around and singing up on the stage, but I missed the harder rock edge of Stewart, not even playing “Every Picture Tells a Story,” “Hot Legs,” or “Mandolin Wind” classics from the 70’s. So he’s evolved, or devolved into this type of Vegas show, it was still a hell of a production despite opening the evening with a cover, “Addicted to Love,” and other covers during his wardrobe changes…I should stress that Rod sounded great, his voice still possess that unique combination of smooth gravely strength…

To see more of Harry’s superb photographs and also get the chance to buy limited edition prints go to https://www.zimmagery.com/

If any of our US members have any reviews, thoughts, comments, photos or anything else from Rod’s North American tour please send them to us at [email protected]

Beryl Marsden: Celebrating 60 years in music

We spotted this concert advertised this week and thought it looks like a fantastic night out for any members in the Liverpool area….

It’s been 60 years since Beryl Marsden first performed at the Cavern Club and now she performs one of her final concerts along with some special guests. Beryl first hit the Liverpool Merseybeat scene in 1962 as one of the only successful female singers at the time, she went on to support The Beatles on their last UK tour in 1965 and she also joined Shotgun Express with Rod Stewart, Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood, plus other groups such as The She Trinity and Sinbad to name a few. Beryl has even had a musical created about her life and was regularly portrayed in the hit TV series Cilla. She still performs to this very day. Now to celebrate 60 years in music, join Beryl and her band along with some very special guests performing and talking about Beryl’s extraordinary life at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre (named after Beatles Manager Brian Epstein) and a fitting end to International Beatles Week. Hosted By Billy Butler.

Saturday 27 August 2022
7:30pm
Stalls: £24, Circle: £22

To book tickets for this event

https://epstein.ticketline.co.uk/order/tickets/13362920/beryl-marsden-in-concert-epstein-theatre-2022-08-27-19-30-00

Penny’s Week

During the week Penny headed to the House of Commons, alongside other famous faces, such as Lisa Snowdon, as the Speaker made sure to sign a pledge to address the issues of menopause within the workforce for the House of Parliament. Penny met with Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, alongside Carolyn Harris, the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Menopause to witness the historic signing, and even made the national news.

On Wednesday Penny attended Day Two of Royal Ascot

Although Penny looked stunning she reviled she had a slight fashion mishap after choosing to use her great grandmothers vintage maroon suede clutch bag, the maroon colour did not wear as well as the vintage suede and it came off on Penny’s hands giving her bright maroon palms for the day!

Palm Angels new store

Palm Angels have opened a new store in Milano and look who is the poster boy, Rod and Penny’s very handsome son Alastair !

And Finally …

SMILER Photographer Yve Paige made this weeks Welwyn and Hatfield Times with one of her fantastic prize winning Rod photos ..Well done Yve!