Palacio de los Deportes
Rod ended last week back in Mexico at Palacio de los Deportes for another amazing concert, Chris Kings was at the show and gave us the set list
And a great shot of Rod
Alfredo Lopez got this super shot of Rod and the girls.
Roland Macher went to the concert wearing a football hat ..or is that a soccer ball hat in Mexico?….Anyway, Rod loved it and took it home with him!!
Roland also remembered that it was J’Anna’s birthday last week so he delivered a token birthday card and got some stunning photos
Backstage Rod signed aughtographs ..But Roland didn’t get his hat back!! Rod also posed for photos with Henry Acosta before leaving
While in Mexico Rod also met Jon Benjamin, Government Official
British Ambassador to Mexico, Who said “What a pleasure to spend some time with Rod, such a nice guy”.
https://www.instagram.com/jonbenjamin19/ @JonBenjamin19
Our SMILER logo statue project
Wow!!…Artist Tim Jeffs has painted the first of our limited edition of 25 SMILER logo statues and what a stunning job he has done
Tim told SMILER this week “I will be making these gradually over the coming two weeks or so. so anyone who ordered a ‘Rod’ can now pay the balance. This will be £70 plus £7 postage for the Uk”.
Tim will need to calculate the postage for other destinations..more details on this very soon.
Forever Young
Sean Reyes is a long time Musician, Singer, Songwriter, and Multi-Instrumentalist from Canada, His new single came out this week and it is a great updated cover of Rod’s Forever Young
Back in 2009, Sean’s life was put on hold. A victim of assault and having suffered a TBI, he nearly lost his life. Music has always helped him push through. And he has since accomplished so much. Winner of several indie awards and nominations. He continues to write and share in hopes of inspiring those around him.
Speaking to SMILER this week Sean told us “I’ve always loved this song, and its beautiful message. To me, it really speaks about living in one’s authentic self and the energy of love. Letting that love guide us in our everyday lives. Be it how we treat ourselves, others, nature, etc. which is definitely something I’ve pulled on in my own life. Having been a victim of assault and suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury.
Although it is quite an older song. The inspiration for this particular cover happened only 2 months ago when I was at the mall.
My girlfriend and I were just sitting in the mall on a Saturday morning drinking coffee, and this song was playing over the sound system. Instantly, my mind just locked onto it. I could hear all the instruments in my head, creating that iconic 90s Punk/Pop sound that I love so much. I then literally just blurted out.. “I’m gonna make a punk cover of this tune”.
Come that Monday, I started laying down what I heard in my head and voila! My rendition of Forever Young is created”.
To download/stream the track go to https://linktr.ee/seanreyesofficial
For more information on Sean Reyes go to
https://www.instagram.com/11__sean.reyes.official__11/
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Las Vegas, NV
On Wednesday the show was back in Vegas for 7 dates
Glenna Heraly was at the first show to get us some fantasic shots and told SMILER “It was wonderful. He is the best!…Showmen of the century!”
Watch for a full review from Sue Walton coming soon
This weeks Rod Art
This is the first time we have ever featured a Tea Cosy artist but Dublin based Susan Bank’s mother Rachel is exactly that, talking to SMILER this week Susan told us the story of how this fantastic Rod Tea Cosy came about
” So it all started in 2011 when my mothers position ( Accounts Clerk ) was made redundant. She was 60 years old at the time and felt it might be hard getting employment again and so she retired. My mother was always crafty and very handy when it came to making things and she did a lot of crocheting. I suggested we do a few craft fairs as I was worried for her not having a job. She loved working and loved the social side of work. Anyway we started to do a few fairs and it wasn’t long before we noticed her tea cosies were becoming popular. We continued doing the craft fairs until 2016 when I suggested doing a version of the “ Michael Tea Cosy “ ( will attach photo below). At the time this tea cosy was popular and I thought it be a great idea to try one:). Anyway she made a few and they were sold out at the next fair. My cousin arrived over that year and saw that she had made a bundle of Michael Tea Cosies! He took a photo of them and posted it on Reddit! In less than 24hrs the photo went viral!“
“Her FB page blew up and her phone was ringing off the hook. She was interviewed by radio stations and TV channels. Then she was asked could you do a Rod Stewart tea cosy. You see my mother doesn’t need a pattern, she can make things by looking at images. Rod was created and just like that we were swamped with orders again. It’s been non stop since 2016. She does all the crocheting herself and does everything from images”.
To see more of Rachels hand made Tea Cosies go to https://www.instagram.com/not_just_hats/ or https://www.facebook.com/notjusthats72/
Delilah’s School Project
Rod’s daughter Kimberly proudly showed off daughter Delilah’s hard work on her school project.
Delilah worked hard with her grandad Rod on a diorama for the project, taking advantage of Rod’s skills he uses on his model railway
On her Instagram Story on Thursday, Kimberly shared a photo of Delilah standing with her finished product, a Maryland-themed scene.
“When Grandad helps with a school project,” Kimberly captioned the shot.
RIP Linda Lewis
British singer Linda Lewis – who worked with the likes of Rod, David Bowie and Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel – died this week at the age of 72.
Her death was confirmed in a statement by her sister Dee Lewis Clay, in which she said: “It is with the greatest sadness and regret we share the news that our beloved beautiful sister Linda Lewis passed away today peacefully at her home. The family asks that you respect our privacy and allow us to grieve at this heartbreaking time.”
Linda married RSG guitarist Jim Cregan in 1977 but they divorced three years later, Linda also sang on Rod’s albums Blondes Have More Fun and Tonight I’m Yours
And Finally..
Rachel Hunter revealed that her and Rod’s new grandson will be arriving in two weeks and will be given a very special name.
Rachel said her son, Liam Stewart and partner Nicole Artukovich, who are having their first child, a son on May 15 will be naming him Louie Mark Roderick Stewart.
See you next week and anyone attending any of the Vegas shows next week please send in any photos or gossip…don’t let what happens in Vegas stay in Vegas!