Rod Stewart is true to his roots as his love for leopard print stretches to the foil used for his highlights, his stylist says

Rod Stewart has always loved a bit of leopard print and it seems his penchant even stretches to the foil for his highlights.

Rod's stylist at The Hair Boutique in Saffron Walden, Essex, says she gets the strips out whenever she does the 78-year-old's tints.

'They're very rare,' she tells me.

Oh Rod! Do ya still think it's sexy?

Sir Rod Stewart pays for patients' scans as he calls for nurses' wages to rise

The singer says he wants to pay for more scans in other parts of the country if his event in Essex is successful, to "prove I am not all mouth and no trousers", as he hopes other people follow in his footsteps.

Sir Rod Stewart has told Sky News he backs pay rises for nurses and junior doctors while warning against a move towards a US-style healthcare system.

The singer paid for members of the public to have scans at a mobile scanning unit at The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Essex today, which he pledged to do during a Sky News phone-in about the state of the NHS last month.

Speaking to Sky News presenter Sarah-Jane Mee today, he said: "There must be enough money in the coffers to pay up for these nurses.

'Demoralised and angry' junior doctors announce three-day strike - follow live

"Only two years ago we were clapping and now listen - they worked so hard."

He added that counteroffers made by junior doctors in their negotiations, who have today announced a new wave of strikes, were "reasonable".

Chris Lockyer

News reporter @_chrislockyer

Friday 24 February 2023 13:54, UK

Sir Rod Stewart demo tape sells at auction for £3,400

A demo tape believed to have launched the solo career of Sir Rod Stewart has sold at auction for £3,400 - three times its estimate.

The recording was made in 1964 in a basement studio in London and used as an audition tape before the singer signed to Decca Records.

It was sold by Jonathan Rowlands, Stewart's manager at the time, at Cheffin's in Cambridge.

"We knew Rod was something special from the word go," Mr Rowlands said.

Director at Cheffin's, Martin Millard, said the tape was "an opportunity for someone to own the seminal recording which would go on to propel his career skywards".

"He is one of the most loved artists of the past century," he said.

According to auction provenance, the recording was made on 18 June 1964 in the basement studio of engineer Pepe Rush in Berwick Street, London.

Some of the tracks on the 15ips reel-to-reel tape include Bright Lights Big City, Don't Tell Nobody, Ain't That Loving You Baby, and Worksong.

Mr Rowlands said the recording helped Stewart secure his first solo recording contract - and the sale included a 1964 appointment book, detailing his meetings with Stewart.

Mr Rowlands, now 83, said: "The tape was used as audition material for a future recording contract for Rod with Decca Records.

"We had got lucky finding out about Pepe Rush's studio that was hidden in the basement of a shop in Berwick Street, Soho.

"With my then partner, Geoff Wright, we then sent the tape to Decca Records as an audition recording in June 1964 and the result was we obtained Rod's first recording contract.

Mr Rowlands said he had to get Stewart's parents' signature, as artists were not allowed to sign recording contracts until the age of 21.

Stewart was 19 at the time.

"He had that absolute star quality which he shares with the likes of Tom Jones and Elton John, which has allowed them to stay relevant in the music industry even after all of these years," he said.

Stewart, 78, who lives near Harlow, Essex, has enjoyed a successful 60-year career in music.

Sir Rod Stewarts first ever studio recording to go to auction at Cheffin in Cambridge

A 15ips tape of Sir Rod Stewart’s first studio recording will go under the hammer at Cheffins in Cambridge as part of The Art & Design Sale on 23rd February, with an estimate of £500 - £1,000.

The recording was made on 18th June 1964, at the famous Pepi Rush basement studio at 42 Berwick Street, London, and was instrumental in Rod Stewart’s signing with Decca Records.

The tape has been consigned from music and PR man, Jonathan Rowlands, who at the time was managing Rod Stewart. Mr Rowlands, who also worked with the likes of Tom Jones, Englebert Humperdinck, Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson, Tim Rose and film actor Jimmy Stewart amongst many others.

The tape has a track list comprising; Just Like I Treat You, Moppers Blues, Bright Lights Big City, Keep Your Hands Off Her, Don’t Tell Nobody, Ain’t That Loving You Baby and Worksong.

Mr Rowlands, 83, who is based in Bakewell, Derbyshire, comments:

“The tape was used as audition material for a future recording contract for Rod with Decca Records. We had got lucky finding out about the Pepsi Rush’s studio that was hidden in the basement of a shop in Berwick Street, Soho. At the time it was incredibly difficult to get into major studio, as they were all owned and controlled by the likes of Decca, CBS, Polydor and Phillips Records. Rod had asked a certain Reg Dwight to come and play piano, unfortunately he had a cold that day and couldn’t make it. However, we were lucky for the musicians we used were from Long John Baldry’s Hoochie Coochie Band, led by pianist Ian Armit who Rod normally sang with.

With my then partner, Geoff Wright, we then sent the tape to Decca Records as an audition recording in June 1964 and the result was we obtained Rod’s first recording contract. The first single released then by Decca was Good Morning Little Schoolgirl.

I had been dealing with Rod for a few months at that point, he was around 18 years old, and in those days, you couldn’t sign a management contract until you were 21, so I had visited his parents in Highgate to ask them to sign on his behalf. We knew Rod was something special from the word go. He had that absolute star quality which he shares with the likes of Tom Jones and Elton John, which has allowed them to stay relevant in the music industry even after all of these years.”

Jonathan worked with Rod for around nine years.

He continues: “our relationship ended because after a chance meeting in Mayfair with Lou Reizner who represented Chess Records in Chicago, Rod was happy to sign with them and I left for America to look after his interests. I was due to meet Rod over in Miami where he was touring with the Jeff Beck trio. Jeff had a car crash, so Rod never came over, and I was stuck in the US getting a green card. Back in the UK, Lou, introduced Rod to the Small Faces, who he also represented, and the rest is history as Rod joined the band along with Ronnie Wood. I think these tapes will be bought by someone who loves Rod. He’s done so many good things in his time and has so many fans, I am sure it will make someone very happy.”

Good Morning Little Schoolgirl was Sir Rod Stewart’s first single to be released, and was the start of the blossoming of his solo career. He then released his debut album, Every Picture Tells a Story in 1971, alongside the release of the single Maggie May which went to straight to Number 1 in the UK and the US simultaneously.

Martin Millard, Director, Cheffins says: “With over 120 million records sold worldwide, Sir Rod Stewart is undoubtedly one of the most famous British rock legends of all time. There are armies of Rod Stewart fans across the world, and this tape is an opportunity for someone to own the seminal recording which would go on to propel his career skywards. He is one of the most loved artists of the past century, and this is a chance for someone to buy a part of musical history.”

Sir Rod Stewart is still very much a part of the current music scene, having performed at Her Majesty the Queen’s Royal Jubilee in 2022, and released new music as recently as 2021.

The tapes are sold along with photocopies of Jonathan Rowlands’ 1964 appointment book, detailing his meetings with Stewart. They are sold as collectors’ items only and no intellectual property rights are accompanied.

Auction: The Art & Design Sale – 23rd February 2023 from 11am
Location: Cheffins, Clifton House, 1-2 Clifton Road, Cambridge, UK, CB1 7E

'It was a privilege to perform alongside a guitar genius': Sir Rod Stewart pays tribute to late friend Jeff Beck with a floral display and heartfelt written note at his funeral

Sir Rod Stewart paid tribute to Jeff Beck this week as he attended the late guitarist's funeral in South London.

The musician, 78, penned a heartfelt written note to go alongside a beautiful display of flowers, which were delivered to the funeral.

Dubbing Jeff a 'guitar genius', the Forever Young singer noted that it was a 'privilege' to have performed alongside the star.

Rod Stewart and Howard Jones pose for picture outside ABBA Voyage in London

On Wednesday night Rod enjoyed a family trip to Parkhead as they watched their beloved team, Celtic.

On Wednesday night, Rod and his children Alastair, Renee and Liam gather edfor an outing at Parkhead as they watch their beloved Celtic beat Livingston 3-0.

They were joined by Liam's pregnant girlfriend Nicole Artukovich. Alastair shared images of them taking in the match to his 14.4k followers and fans on Instagram.

Rod Stewart returns to Cork as Marquee looks set to continue

The English star was the latest addition to the 2023 roster, with promoter Peter Aiken hoping the docklands site would also host future series of concerts

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Concert promoter Peter Aiken has confirmed that the Live at the Marquee series looks set to continue at its traditional home near the Marina in Cork. In 2021, An Bord Pleanala had granted ‘fast-tracked’ permission for the construction of more than 1,000 apartments at the site, but no date has yet been set for the commencement of the development.

Speaking at the River Lee Hotel in Cork on Wednesday morning to announce a concert by Rod Stewart at the Marquee in June 2023, Aiken said another series of gigs had already been “provisionally” pencilled in for 2024. The promoter also expressed the hope that the concerts would continue at the site for a few more years, depending on the developers’ decision.

Stewart returns to the venue on June 20, and was the latest announcement for a 2023 series that already has music acts such as The Frames, Christy Moore and Aitch, along with the hugely-popular podcast show, My Therapist Ghosted Me, by Joanne McNally and Vogue Williams.

The 78-year-old English rocker had previously played the Marquee in 2009, and more recently had performed an outdoor gig at the nearby Paírc Uí Chaoimh stadium in 2019.

Aiken described Stewart, 78, as a pleasure to deal with, and revealed the star often spent the day of concerts indulging his love of history by visiting local cemeteries and other sites.

“He wanted to put up a big banner of Michael Collins one time,” said Aiken, adding that part of the star’s backstage rider included the provision of 10 footballs that he could then kick into the crowd.

On his previous visit to Cork, the dedicated Celtic fan had shown an image onscreen of Liam Miller, the late Leesider who had played for the Glasgow club.

Sir Rod Stewart’s Personal Trainer On The ‘Crazy’ Pool Workouts That Keep The Rock Star in Shape

Stewart's PT, Gary O’Connor, explains the thinking behind the ‘crazy’ swimming sessions that have kept the rock star touring throughout his 70s

Despite turning 78 last month, legendary British rock and pop singer Sir Rod Stewart is still touring as if it’s the 80s, entertaining fans with his signature raspy vocals and energetic performances.

Tasked with keeping Stewart in shape for the past 23 years, his personal trainer, Gary O’Connor, recently revealed to the Express.co.uk one of the ‘crazy’ pool workouts that has kept the rock star in shape throughout his lengthy career.

‘We don’t do normal swimming,’ said O’Connor, ‘we do crazy swimming. We have obstacles and he’s the kind of guy that says ‘time me’ and then tries to beat that time.

‘We do some amazing pool workouts which aren’t just swimming up and down, they’re almost military-type workouts. Retrieving bricks from the bottom of the pool, tread water holding a brick above your head.’

Despite Stewart’s unusual methods for keeping fit, all of his workouts abide by O’Connor’s three rules for exercising: ‘You have to look at what’s attainable and what is repeatable. In other words, it has to be something that you can do on a regular basis, and it’s got to be relevant to your lifestyle.’

Commenting on his time working as Stewart's personal trainer, O’Connor continued: ‘He’s not someone who just stands in the middle of the stage. He’s a bit like Mick Jagger, the fittest of their age group in entertainment.’