RIP Sir Michael Parkinson
Rod ended last week paying tribute to Sir Michael Parkinson, after the news of his passing saying the BBC chat king was “truly the best”.
Rod posted “In all my career, I’ve dreaded doing interviews on television, But with Michael, it was the opposite, I happily looked forward to our chats, He was authentic, truly the best and will be missed.”
Michael was also a big supporter of Rod’s Great American Song Book series on his BBC Radio Two Show.
The Saskatoon SaskTel Centre
Saturday night saw the crowd pile into the Saskatoon SaskTel Centre for the show but they were left disapointed when it was announced Rod would not be performing..
Cheryl Sitkowski who was attending the concert with her family told SMILER “We attended the show last night, after Cheap Trick finished their set, the announcer came on and explained that Rod had injured his vocal chords during his vocal warm up, at first we thought maybe it was a prank, but they made the announcement again a few minutes later. of course we were disappointed, as we love Rod! it was my 6th show and my family’s 3rd. We just hope that his recovery is quick and comfortable!”
Darren Welsh was also hoping to see Rod and told SMILER “It was fun to be at SaskTel Centre, and the opening act was great!. There was a stadium full of fans excited to see Rod perform. The opening act, Cheap Trick played an amazing set. At the end of their encore, the announcement was made that Rod had hurt his vocal chords during warm up, and that the concert was cancelled. Definitely a lot of disappointed fans!”
“Rod Stewart did not take the stage due to a vocal cord injury that he suffered during his warm-ups prior to taking the stage,” said SaskTel Centre spokesperson Cheri Hamilton
While there was a sliver of hope that the show would be rescheduled, the tour announced that wouldn’t be the case and offered refunds to all ticket-goers. But Rod did go on Instagram on Wednesday to issue an apology and give a health update
He began: “My dear friends in Saskatoon, I’m so sorry I couldn’t turn up the other night. Let me tell you what happened. I was warming my voice up before I went on stage and it just went.
“The doctor said it happens sometimes. It’s like a cramp or a bruise, or something… but I’m so sorry I didn’t make it. I was there.
“Now, I’m healthy, I’m moving on to Ottawa and I like to thank Cheap Trick for carrying the show. Hopefully, I’ll come back and see you another day.”
Ottawa Canadian Tire Centre
On Wednesday Rod was back on top form in Ottawa and photographer Laura Collins got some stunning shots
To see more of Laura’s photographs go to https://thelauracollins.com/
Or https://www.instagram.com/thelauracollins/
SMILER member Margaret Davidson took her grandson Rhys to his first Rod concert and said of the show
“Rod put on a Fab show..but the usual typical Canadian Tyre Centre doesn’t allow dancing 🙄 so people just sit there hardly clapping…this city needs to lighten up and live a little at concerts!!
For those that know me at Rod concerts .. I love to dance, and have fun, my hands are bruised from clapping and my erse was making buttons tonight dancing in my seat for two and a half hrs..😂“
Micki Boragina was also at the show and got some great shots.. and a ball!
Montreal Bell Centre
On Thursday Rod arrived at the Montreal Bell Centre and Richard Bugs Burnett and his Mom Diamond Lil got to meet up with his all-time favourite rock star
Richard said it was his Mom’s 32nd Rod concert!
Photographer Patricia Duval took some brilliant shots
To see more of Patricia’s photographs go to https://bpartsmedia.ca/rod-stewart-centre-bell/
Another amazing photographer Nadia Davoli also got some brilliant shots
To see more of Nadia’s photographs go to https://www.instagram.com/nadiadavoli/
To read the Calgary Herald review by Brendan Kelly • Montreal Gazette
This week’s Rod Art
This weeks Rod Art was done by artist Hanne from Denmark who has an impressive MA in Art History
Hanne painted this great vibrant portrait on canvas in Acrylic paint. on a 50x 70 cm canvas.
Hanne told SMILER this week “I have been a fan of Rod since I was 11 years old. At the time I cut my hair like rod, or tried to, not quite the same result as Rod Stewart hair. I also had a Tshirt saying Tonight I am yours, before I knew what it meant. He is a great entertainer and musician. I love his music and energy”.
H.O.T. Live: An Evening with Joanne Harper & Holly Brewer
Joanne Harper and Holly Brewer are playing H.O.T. Live at The House of Toby in London on 15th September
The event is a black tie ball and full details can be found at
https://thehouseoftoby.com/?fbclid=IwAR3JBUblA_YURDSoxzJI4ijkJgCPwQXoT9hLW22hGXf039HrvbzkVKYnFZ4
Anne Lai Photography
Anne Lai took these first class photographs at Chula Vista North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre California earlier this month [5th September] Here are a selection including our main photo and they are that good we will show a few more over the coming weeks
Sing It Again Rod Update
Our Sing It Again Rod statue by artist Tim Jeffs has really come to life this week, the sculpting is now done and the moulding process will soon be started ..Each figure will later be hand painted by Tim, you will then see Rod complete with his Royal Stewart Dress Tartan scarf .
Our figure has been commissioned to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Rod’s first official compilation album Sing It Again Rod Released this month 50 years ago (10th August 1973) .
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 acknowledged in the figure of Rod in all his Faces splendour from 1973.
The figure will be around 8 inches in height and will be a strictly limited edition of 50 and each figure will be numbered.. We have a few places left, if you want a Rod statue, they will be £95 plus postage that is £7 UK, Int’l tracked Postage- USA =£25, Canada=£24, Norway =£15, EU =£12.
A £20 deposit will secure your figure, If you would like any further information or have any questions about this project please contact me on [email protected]
And finally..
Anyone going to The Pittsburgh PPG Paints Arena on Saturday, Gilford Bank Of New Hampshire Pavilion on Monday or Bridgeport Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater on Wednesday have a super night and don’t forget to tell us all about it
See you next week
2 replies on “This week’s news and gossip”
Many thanks for sharing the concert experience. I was unable to make it this tour due to major knee surgery, but at least was able to envision myself there. No opportunity for that elusive football, however!
The painting looks more like Barry Manilow, ok, points for the effort…