Main photo by Glenna Heraly
Durham Seat Unique Riverside Cricket Ground
Friday ended in the pouring rain at Durham Seat Unique Riverside Cricket Ground but despite the bad weather Rod and Culture Club put on another exceptional show
Terry Blackburn was at the show and took some really really fabulous photos including our main photo
Once again Boy George and Culture Club went down a storm [Sorry, maybe bad choice of word]
Did you get wet?..Did you get on Terry’s photo?..Can you spot yourself in the crowd?, If you can i’ll buy you a pint next time I see you down the pub!
Terry also met Rod and got his ticket signed
SMILER photographers Barry Linsley and Marc Baulisch – Steines also got wet in the crowd but managed to get some more fantastic shots
Steady…
To read The Northern Echo review go to
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/23627603.rod-stewart-boy-george-live-durham-cricket-ground/
Goodnight Durham
Anymore for Anymore
A new book telling the story of Ronnie Lane is being published on August 17th written by Caroline and David Stafford.
Anymore for Anymore: The Ronnie Lane Story
Ronnie Lane’s story is that of a working-class kid who started his musical career busking a ukulele at the age of eight. As a young man he signed with legendary manager Don Arden, who paid him in paisley shirts. He then enjoyed a phenomenal 17 consecutive Top 40 singles, womanising and LSD, and fell under the spell of a mystic before joining forces with Rod Stewart. Ronnie was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, moved to America, went broke and died far too young.
Drawing on extensive research and interviews with friends and family, Caroline and David Stafford unearth the truth and talent of the man behind the music.
Publication Date: 17.08.23
ISBN: 9781913172534
Extent: 320 pages
Format: Hardback
Sing It Again Rod statue update
Thanks for the fantastic response to our new Tim Jeffs project to celebrate Rod’s first compilation album ‘Sing It Again Rod’ that was released in 1973 and celebrating it’s 50th anniversary this year.
Tim has agreed to do another sculpture, The album is notable for its Peter Corriston-designed die-cut album sleeve shaped like an old fashioned drinking glass [Very apt at the moment!] and this will be aknowledged in the figure of Rod in all his Faces splendour from 1973
Here is Tim’s first sketch and like last time he will photograph each stage of the project to keep everyone involved in the process
Tim can only do batches of 25, The first batch have now all been ordered after our announcement last week and I have contacted everyone who is on it but a second list for a second batch has been started and is filling up fast, I have also contacted everyone who is on this list, so if I have not contacted you, you are not on it and I have not received your request, The cost of the figures will be £95 plus postage, startng with £20 deposit and balance paid before delivery, to regester your pledge for batch two or if you have any questions please contact me, each figure is hand painted to a very high standards by Tim.
This project will not be started for five weeks as Tim has other commitments and when he does start, as each one is hand painted the most that can be done is five per week after they come out of the mould..But it will be worth the wait.
Well done Debenhams
Are you sick of looking in your local clothes stores and seeing Rolling Stones and guns And Roses T-Shirts and never Rod?
Well check our Debenhams who have in the current collection three great Rod tops titled Maggie May World Tour Muscle Tank Vest at £19.99 , Hot Legs Fashion T Shirt also at £19.99 and Hot Legs Ringer T Shirt at £18.99
If you want a unisex Rod shirt go to
Thanks to Chris Dodds
Badminton Estate
On Sunday Rod played the home of the Duke of Beaufor at The Badminton Estate near the Wiltshire border, but not everyone was happy, Dozens of people in the nearby villages had complained but Cotswold District Council granted the promoter, Robomagic Live, a licence for the event plus another concert by The Who and UB40.
Leading up to Rod’s gig, Gloucestershire county councillors said they had been making sure there is no damage on the A433 which leads to the venue at Worcester Lodge.
Roger Kemble, Sue Cook and Debbie Plumley all attended the show and got some amazing shots, Debbie said “One of the best Days ever!!” And Sue spotted Jeremy Clarkson chatting to fans before the show
Culture Club again got a great reception from the crowd
And Rod and the band played another stunning ‘Hits’ set
Hull Craven Park Stadium
On Tuesday it was the turn of Rod’s fans in Hull to witness the show and Once again SMILER photographer Marc Baulisch – Steines was on hand to get some amazing shots
To read the Hull Live review go to
Joanne Harper posted some backstage shots after the show
And Kim Gibbons got a special treat for her 65th birthday, not only seeing Rod live but meeting him and George after the show
Kim told SMILER “Rod made my Birthday very special. I have wanted to see him since my teens and never thought it would happen”
Congratulations
Congratulations from everyone at SMILER to Liam and Nicole Artukovich who announced their engagement in a joint Instagram post on Wednesday.
Bay City Rollers
It was announced this week that Johnny Mac (John McLaughlin) will be officially joining the Bay City Rollers on keyboards & vocals!
Edinburgh Castle
On Thursday Rod played the first of two shows in Edinburgh, While the final preperations were being put together at the Castle
Wolfie’s Whisky held a first tasting event at the Pear Tree pub, The first 50 fans to show their tickets got a free dram of Wolfie’s and a free gift, Many SMILER‘s attended inclding Jan Kittelsen who met the Wolfie’s team and was one of the first to take a dram
As was Marc Baulisch – Steines anf his wife Claudine
Despite the adverse weather conditions, fans did not let the rain spoil this special night with many sporting multicoloured ponchos as they enjoyed the show.
Tonights support act was winner of Best Vocalist at The Scottish Jazz Awards 2020 and 2022 and winner for Best Female Breakthrough Artist at The Scottish Music Awards 2020 Kitti [Katie Doyle]
Marc Baulisch – Steines after his dram of Wolfie’s was on hand to get us more superb shots as was Graham Purt and Glenna Heraly
Mid set the new Bay City Roller Johnny Mac and Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood were introduced to the stage and played a blistering crowd pleasing version of The Proclaimers Sunshine On Leith
Rod played an emotional version of Purple Heather that brought him to tears to end the show
To read The Scotsman review of the night go to
Jan Kittelsen’s SMILER Review will be posted very soon..please check back
Wolfie’s Whisky in Ireland
It was announced this week that Barry & Fitzwilliam will distribute Wolfie’s Whisky in Ireland
Michael Barry Managing Director of Barry & Fitzwilliam has been a lifelong fan of Rod Stewart’s music is ecstatic to have concluded a deal with Rod and his team to become the Irish distributor of Wolfie’s Whisky. The deal was agreed recently in Cork while Rod was in town for two sold out concerts at the Marquee.
Wolfie’s Whisky will be available in Ireland this July with an RRP of €40.00
This weeks Rod Art
This week we feature an amazing drawing from Southampton multi award winning tattoo artist Mike Millward
Mike told SMILER this week “I was inspired by my wife’s love for Rod 😂 I drew it as a gift for her. He’s also got such an iconic look, aswell as amazing features that made the drawing such fun to produce”.
To see more of Mike’s work including a clip of his Rod art go to https://www.instagram.com/mikemillwardtattoos/?hl=en
And Finally
Anyone attending tonights second show in Edinburgh or Madrid WiZink Center (Palacio De Deportes) on Wednesday please send in any thoughts or photos of the night for next weeks news and gossip and as it is her birthday week lets end with another photo of Rod and Kim
See you next week