This week’s news and gossip

Vacation week two

Rod starts this week still on vacation while in Capri he had this fantastic photo taken with Cristina Gabriela who said she was ‘So Happy’

Rod also had a great photo taken with the guys from D’Amore Capri restaurant
a restaurant a few meters from the famous square of Capri along the picturesque road that leads to Tiberio.

The guys were happy to let SMILER include their photo in this weeks ‘News and Gossip’ and said ‘So happy to receive Sir Rod Stewart in our restaurant!’

And Penny later posted this stunning shot titled ‘Sunset with the lads’

Rod called in Bar dei Pesci on the island of Ponza and watched Italian singer Bobby Solo’s rehearsal, unfortunately for the customers Rod did not join Bobby for a song although the pair have sang together in the past.

Rod had a brilliant shot taken with Luigi Cannone and Lucia Pesce, Luigi told SMILER this week “It was a big pleasure to have Rod in my bar drinking Apple Martini”

To end Rod’s Italian vacation here is an amazing story from Anastasia WM who is in our main photo and told SMILER this week ‘We loved Sir Rod’

So whilst standing in a very long taxi queue in Capri, sweating and hating life we saw Rod Stewart approach it with his son and daughter. He did try to skip the queue but was told rudely to go to the back and wait like everyone else. Brilliant timing because at that moment our 7-seater taxi pulled up so I came up to Rod and offered him a lift. He jumped at the chance and we took him to the port. The easiest guy to talk to we were all laughing and joking as if we’ve known him forever. Francesca was telling him how she hated wearing tights to school in the recent heatwave  as you do. And of course Rod talked about his love for Celtic fc and was also saying to Lee he is hoping Nottingham Forest does well this season. In the end he shoved 200 euros into Francesca’s hand which we were refusing to take but he was having none of it. He kept thanking us over and over and so did his daughter Kimberley. What a dude, I’ve always been such a huge fan, he is one of my all time favourites so I was delighted he ended up exceeding all of my expectations. As an fyi the guy is 78 years old. Looks 58 max… Just wow

Hard Rock Cafe Memorabilia #9

This week we feature another regular visitor to the Hard Rock Cafe Kelly Stephens who told SMILER this week “This photo was taken at Foxwoods, Ledyard CT. It is in a casino. My husband and I have visited 35 Hard Rock Cafe’s in our travels. I took the picture as I have always liked Rod Stewart”.

The photo is of Rod’s red short from the 1984 tour and Kelly took the photo on a recent visit to Foxwoods in Connecticut this month.

Have you ever spotted a Rod item in a Hard Rock Cafe while you were visiting?..If you have send a picture in to [email protected] and tell us about it and I will post them in future ‘This week’s news and gossip’ posts.

Rest in Peace two music legends

Olivia Newton John [1948 – 2022]

Rod paid tribute to his long time friend Olivia Newton-John on Tuesday after the tragic news of her passing. Posting on social media Rod said ..

“My great friend Olivia Newton John has passed away.

“She was the perfect Lady, gorgeous, with great poise and with a certain Aussie sophistication.

“Her spandex trousers in Grease were my inspiration for my ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy’ era.

“RIP Olivia.”

If you want to read how Olivia inspired Rod and how Rod was introduced to spandex check out ‘He wore it well’ By Fleur Thiemeyer in SMILER issue 99.

Lamont Dozier (1941-2022)

Another great loss this week was Lamont Dozier who was a key member of the songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland, the musical team he formed with Brian and Eddie Holland. Together, the trio forged an indelible reputation in the Motown scene, ultimately being responsible for singles for acts including writing 10 of the Supremes’ 12 No. 1 singles in the United States. The songwriting team also penned “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You),” first a major hit for Marvin Gaye in 1964:

Holland-Dozier-Holland songs recorded by Rod include ‘Can I Get a Witness’, ‘This Old heart Of Mine’, ‘Standing in the Shadows of Love’, ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On’ and ‘It’s The Same Old Song’.

Rod paid tribute to Lamont this week posting..

‘There will never be another Lamont Dozier. His songs for Motown changed our world forever, they changed our lives for the better. Music would not be what it is without the magic of Lamont Dozier. From Heatwave to Standing In The Shadows of Love and This Old Heart Of Mine which I had a Top 10 hit with his songs are all wonders of the world.
Sir Rod ‘

This weeks Rod Art

This weeks Rod Art is a Charcoal sketch by Sunderland based Pastel, Charcoal and Cyanotype artist Tom Young.

Tom speaking about the inspiration for the sketch told SMILER this week “I have been a fan of Rod since his early days (Gasoline Alley especially) and he is, in my opinion, a brilliant interpreter of others’ songs, particularly Dylan”. adding “I am happily retired and enjoying hobbies – drawing, painting, stained glass and playing guitar”.

To see more of Tom’s fantastic artwork go to https://www.instagram.com/tomyoung314/?hl=en

Paddy Power

Gambling company Paddy Power using a photo of Rod had a joke at the expense of Manchester United after the first weekend of Premiership football posting this..

Man Utd about to select their next transfer target…

And Finally..

Don’t forget to check your details are up to date as SMILER Issue 101 will be sent out very soon.

And to anyone attending Rod’s concert tonight at The Xfinity Center,
Mansfield, MA, if you get any good photos or have any thoughts or reviews to send in please send them to me at [email protected]

See you next week.