This week’s news and gossip

Back in the UK

At the end of last week Rod and Penny arrived back in the UK , with a busy week ahead at the Jeff Beck tribute shows

The Pigs Head

On Sunday Rod called in the The Churchgate Sausage Shop in Harlow and had a lovely photo taken with a member of staff

Royal Albert Hall on May 22nd and 23rd.

Rod joined a host of musicians on Monday and Tuesday to pay tribute to one of the great guitarists of our time, Jeff Beck.

Before we mention the concerts here is a gem Jane Harrison sent in

A flyer she saved from The Bristol Corn Exchange 1967 and the great Tuesday night gig from Jeff Beck and his singer ‘Rod Stuart’!

Monday was the first of the two very special (and sold-out) tribute concerts honoring the late Jeff Beck that took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London. SMILER photographer Yve Paige was on hand to get us some brilliant shots including our main photo.

It was a fitting location for a musical celebration of the guitar legend who passed away at the age of 78 in January after a bout with bacterial meningitis, the two-night event was billed as ‘Eric Clapton and Friends’ Taking the stage at one point or another throughout the night were Rod, Ronnie Wood, Metallica‘s Kirk Hammett, Gary Clark Jr., Imelda May, ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, John McLaughlin, Johnny Depp, and more.

The night saw many collaborations, but the biggest of all occurred right at the end of the night when everyone squeezed onto the historic stage for an eight-minute jam of Going Down.

Rod and Ronnie reunited on ‘Rock My Plimsoul’ and ‘I Ain’t Superstitious’ from the Jeff Beck Group days, as well as Rod and Jeff’s 1980s collaborations ‘Infatuation’ and ‘People Get Ready’

We also got some great shots from Marlene Cöln

The morning after the show Rod said “Fantastic evening last night for our mate Jeff, lots of lovely players, friends, and family in attendance. Looking forward to doing it all over again tonight”

And on Tuesday it all happened again and Marc Baulisch – Steins got some superb shots

See more from the shows in Issue 102 of SMILER coming very soon

When We Were the Boys: Coming of Age on Rod Stewart’s Out of Order Tour

Fantastic news from our good friend Stevie Salas, his brilliant book ‘When We Were the Boys’ is being released as an audio book, The printed book was a massive hit with Rod’s fans with many saying it was the best book they had read by anyone who has worked with Rod. The new audio version is read by Stevie himself and will be released in July.

This book is a backstage pass to the ups, downs, and all-out craziness of arena rock—deep discussions with Rod Stewart, jamming with legends like Mick Jagger and Justin Timberlake, gaining groupies, and striking out solo. Stevie Salas was one of many boys coming of age in the 1980s—when the American dream was rock superstardom. As lead guitarist for a San Diego band, Salas played backyard parties and school dances and even scored the music for the cult classic Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. When he auditioned for Rod Stewart—where he was the youngest band member by a decade—Salas’s life truly hit a turning point.

Salas pulls no punches to describe the initial skepticism and hazing he faced as the youngest member of Stewart’s band, the night he stood up for himself on the tour plane, and the emotional late-night talk with Rod Stewart that restored the frontman’s faith in his untested young guitar player and his new group that was struggling to find its groove. Yet they became a band of brothers and formed a camaraderie they share to this day. When We Were the Boys revolves around the year Salas began as an inexperienced musical prodigy and finished as a seasoned rock ’n’ roll veteran—more mature as a man and musician.

Stevie has promised he will keep all his friends here on SMILER up to date with the release and even give a lucky couple of members free downloads..Watch this space!

This weeks Rod Art

This week we feature the work of Manchester artist Dale Longworth who you might remember was a founding member of English electronic dance music group N-Trance who had a hit in 1997, with ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?’ By N-Trance featuring Rod Stewart taken from the groups second album ‘Happy Hour’ and features lyrics from the Millie Jackson version (as performed by vocalist Kelly Llorenna). It was featured in the film A Night at the Roxbury the following year. This version became a hit in late 1997, topping both the New Zealand Singles Chart for three weeks and the Czech Republic singles chart. Additionally, the song peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart and earning a double-platinum sales certification in Australia, where it charted at number three.

Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as “another slice of flashback fever”. He noted that “with its recognizable hook, booty-shakin’ baseline, guest rap by Ricardo da Force, diva wailings by Kelly Llorenna, and Stewart himself, this updated remake could very well become the surprise radio hit of the summer. Of course, it could also become this month’s novelty record.” and British magazine Music Week rated N-Trance’s version four out of five in their review.

These days Dale makes original art and one of his latest creations is this fantastic portrait of Rod

Speaking to SMILER this week Dale said “I always loved Rod, saw him at Maine Rd in the 90’s and I was lucky enough to do a version of Do ya think I’m sexy with him with my band! He’s a very underrated songwriter too”.

To see more of Dales artwork go to https://www.instagram.com/dale.longworth/

A Rascal Of A Thing

On Wednesday Rod officially announced “After almost two years of development and dozens of whisky tastings, I’m delighted to finally unveil my latest venture, Wolfie’s Whisky!”

The 40% ABV blended spirit, a product of Scotland will be launched and available to buy online for £35 on 19th June in UK, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.

The drink is described as peaty, warming cinnamon, fresh vanilla and baked apple and “embodies reputation as ‘the Cockney Scotsman’ and pays tribute to his Scottish heritage and cheeky chappie image.”

Wolfie’s is made at the Loch Lomond distillery in Scotland and has been designed to ‘reflect Rod’s rock and roll heritage.

Wolfie’s was inspired by Rod’s early hell-raising days with the Faces.

Sir Rod said: “Wolfie’s is a rascal of a thing and with just a sip the whisky takes you back to the good old days. Fine-tuned and perfectly balanced, Wolfie’s is a delight both over ice and mixed into a favourite cocktail.”

And he added: “It’s a fine tipple, whether you’re partying with friends, celebrating a Celtic win or reminiscing with family.

“For me, Wolfie’s depicts the carefree behaviour of my more mischievous days and the excitement of what life still has to offer – let the good times roll!”

A little twist that will please fans is referencing the opening track from Rod’s 1991 album Vagabond Heart, the lyrics ‘Rhythm of My Heart’ are emblazoned on the base of the bottle and Fans can register for access to an exclusive presale from 16 June via ttps://www.wolfiesiscoming.com/

Customers will also be in with the chance of finding one of 1,000 bottles of Wolfie’s that have been signed by Sir Rod.

For those of you in the US, Wolfie’s will be launching in July!

The rest of the world…..They are working on it!

Tina Turner

On Wednesday Rod paid tribute to Tina Turner saying I’m devastated, what a woman! A friend and mentor – ‘It takes two’ – but there was only one Tina Turner 💛

And finally..

More of our stunning Rod SMILER Logo statues have been arriving this week..

“Well Rod made it through customs and landed safely in Tennessee!! Thank you so much SMILER Team and Tim Jeffs for your incredible work! Will definitely cherish this piece!!!” – Nathan Falin-Dunlap

“Rod is in the building and a massive thank you to Tim Jeffs for producing this superb work of art for Smilers..I love it” – Dom Murphy

“My statue has arrived at The Forever Young Bar ..so glad Tim worked on this project with us it looks fantastic” -Mike Walton

“Thanks to team SMILER for arranging this SMILER – Rod Stewart Fanclub logo sculpture and to Tim for doing a fantastic job” – John Rafferty

Tim is doing them in batches of fives and has not finished yet so don’t worry if yours has not arrived yet..but when it does please let us see your pictures and tell us what you think.

See you next week ..Slàinte!