He’s a living legend whose career has spanned five decades and tonight Rod Stewart is going one-on-one with ET Canada’s Cheryl Hickey for an intimate & hilarious half-hour special that covers music, life, and love.
The 70-year-old recently released his 30th studio album, Another Country, which marked the second time the performer recorded an album in the comfort of his own home. But it was his breakthrough 1971 album, Every Picture Tells A Story, that surprised Rod the most.
“The record company didn’t have much faith in me. And we only recorded 9 tracks — or 8 tracks — and they said, ‘Well, we’re a track short.’ And I said, ‘Well, I’ve got this one I’ve nearly finished, it’s called “Maggie May”;. And I played it to them and they said, ‘That’s okay but it doesn’t have anything that we can sing along to.’… Lo and behold, what do record companies know!”
It’s hard to believe Rod is also the father of eight children. “I’m close to all their moms… when there’s a divorce [women are] complicated. When there’s a split-up they’re complicated. But when there’s children involved you have to make it work and thank goodness they all have… My eldest daughter is like 50-something. So I was a naughty boy when I was young. But I have to be a dad to all different ages. I’m a different dad to my 4-year-old than to my son who plays hockey who’s 21, and my daughter who’s 35, who’s got a daughter. So it’s wonderful. Especially to have two little ones. At my age they keep me young. ‘Come on, dad, let’s go out and play football!’…But they keep me on my feet!”
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It also sounds like Rod’s long-running friendship with fellow superstar Elton John also keeps him on his feet.
“We’re actually very close to each other now… We watch each other’s albums. Mine’s out, his comes out in February and we like to see how we get on in the charts. The competition between me and Sharon…He’s Sharon and I’m Phyllis…is still strong!”
Watch the full half-hour special tonight at 7:30PM (ET) on Global.
