From Uncut’s November 2015 challenge [Take 222]. Jaan Uhelszki visits ROD STEWART at house in Beverly Hills…
Rod Stewart was by no means, it appears, a pure songwriter. “I used to be too busy,” he says, “having an excellent time.” In autumn 2015, the great instances proceed unabated for British rock’s most storied playboy. On the eve of a brand new album and that long-awaited Faces reunion, Rod The Mod opens up his LA mansion to Uncut and, uncharacteristically, reveals all. About Jeff Beck, Britt Ekland and the rock large who seems to be “a bit an excessive amount of like Bin Laden”. About most cancers, the outdated bandmate who drank an excessive amount of, and the proper method to tie a shawl. And about why The Faces couldn’t reform ’til now: “Mac was a little bit of a fly within the ointment…”
YOU kNOW YOU’RE getting near Rod Stewart’s home when your ears pop. For the previous 4 many years, Stewart has lived on one of many highest factors of Beverly Hills, in an unique enclave known as Beverly Park. Accessible solely by way of two guarded checkpoints, the property is dominated by sprawling gated properties, with advantageous views out throughout town itself. When you’ve cleared safety, nevertheless, it’s no small job discovering your vacation spot. There are not any road names or pavements; neither is there anybody about to ask. Happily, Stewart’s home is immediately recognisable due to a soccer pitch seen over a rambling fence. The gates, too, are a giveaway: they’re emblazoned with the four-leaf clover image of his beloved Celtic soccer crew.
Stewart, his spouse Penny Lancaster and their two youngsters dwell in a big Italianate mansion painted the color of a Tuscan sundown. Throughout the round driveway is a well-appointed visitor home the place three of Stewart’s older youngsters dwell. There’s additionally a six-car storage with an array of pricey vehicles – largely Italian. Stewart nonetheless takes his automobiles out virtually every day. “I like to drive,” he explains. “It clears my head and I get my greatest concepts then. The one factor I don’t do anymore is drive at night time, as a result of I prefer to have a drink of wine each night time.” Few celebrities, it appears, dwell so grandly or unapologetically. “Yeah, largely and vastly,” Stewart laughs. “All this and I nonetheless acquired all me hair.”
Stewart has invited Uncut to his house ostensibly to speak about his new studio album, One other Nation. There’s additionally a 5CD set due which collects the run of albums he made between 1969’s An Previous Raincoat Gained’t Ever Let You Down to Smiler in 1974. Critically, although, Stewart’s outdated group, the Faces, are returning to lively service. Not solely has a boxset simply been launched of all their studio albums – 1970-1975: You Can Make Me Dance, Sing Or Something – however in addition they carried out dwell on September 5 throughout a 2015 Prostate Most cancers Uk charity occasion, Rock’n’Horsepower, at Kenney Jones’ polo membership in Surrey. Stewart first reunited to play with the surviving Faces – Ron Wooden and Jones – at his seventieth celebration; it appears that they had such an excellent time, they determined to do it once more. If Stewart had his manner, although, he would additionally reactivate one other of his outdated teams: “We might have a Faces and a Jeff Beck Band reunion all on one invoice,” he beams.
Inside Stewart’s house, the partitions are adorned with an enviable assortment of Pre-Raphaelite work. However Stewart steers me to a big oil portray over the fireside: ‘An Elegant Girl’ by French artist Hippolyte-casimir Gourse. It depicts a reasonably plain Victorian lady in a protracted black costume and black sneakers, carrying a big feathered hat and reclining on a divan. “Don’t you suppose that one seems to be like me?” he asks. “You don’t need to reply; I do know it does. It seems to be similar to me after I was 18.” This huge portray is given satisfaction of place above the mantle, together with a duplicate of Daniel Wolff’s biography of Sam Cooke, two dozen painted metallic troopers of the Scottish regiments in battle formation, small miniatures of Celtic gamers of their inexperienced and white shirts, and two small Scottish Lion Rampant flags. “That is my altar, don’t you suppose?” he asks proudly. Images are dotted elsewhere across the room: of him and his youngsters, with Penny, and an particularly placing one in every of his father in a tux. “Aye, that’s my dad. That’s Bob Stewart there, wanting very Scottish,” Stewart says.
What was the event?
“He was taking place the betting store. I believe it was his seventieth or seventy fifth birthday.”
Seventy doesn’t appear to be 70 anymore. “No it doesn’t,” admits Stewart. “I strive to not let it.”
A two-hour dialog with Rod Stewart is wide-ranging and digressive. It takes in his early bands and solo work, consuming, his controversial migration to Los Angeles, the Nice American Songbook albums, and his return to songwriting. As nicely, in fact, because the Faces reunion. However we start by speaking about garments. At the moment, Stewart is carrying surprisingly understated apparel – denims and a denim shirt.
UNCUT: Was wardrobe at all times a consideration for you? Even if you wore these satin pants and crop-tops?
ROD STEWART: I don’t suppose I used to be ever an everyday dresser. Initially, you’ve acquired to be obsessed with it, and I at all times have been. I’d take into account myself a fairly good dresser earlier than “Maggie Could”, earlier than I had any cash. So that you both can do it or you may’t; you’ve actually acquired that aptitude otherwise you haven’t.
FIND THE FULL INTERVIEW FROM UNCUT NOVEMBER 2015/TAKE 222 IN THE ARCHIVE
