More than fifty years into his career, Rod Stewart shows no sign of slowing down.
When he's not on tour, he's busy at home chasing his two young sons, Aiden and Alastair, around the yard. And on Sept. 28, he will release his 30th studio album, "Blood Red Roses."
While known for writing sultry songs — from "Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)" to "You're In My Heart (The Final Acclaim)" — Stewart's also not afraid to tackle social issues. In 1976, he broke new ground with "The Killing of Georgie (Part I and II)," about his friend who was killed because of his sexual identity.
Rod Stewart poses for a portrait on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018 in New York to promote his tour and upcoming album, "Blood Red Roses." (Photo by Drew GurianInvisionAP)
Stewart dismisses the idea of being courageous writing the first mainstream pop song to deal with gay bashing.
"It was a true story and it's much easier to write about the truth," Stewart said about the iconic song.
The 73-year old crooner gets serious again with his new album's first single, "Didn't I," which deals with teenage substance abuse from the parent's perspective.
Rod Stewart poses for a portrait on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018 in New York to promote his tour and upcoming album, "Blood Red Roses." (Photo by Drew GurianInvisionAP)
In an interview with The Associated Press this week, the Grammy-winning singer discussed his longevity in the music business, what he thinks of the #MeToo movement and maintaining his signature hairstyle.
AP: That hair is just amazing. How do you keep it up?
Stewart: It's pretty good, isn't it? I don't know. I think I've just been lucky, you know, with the hair. It gets a lot of manipulation, you know, because I always have to keep it (up). When I'm doing a show, I have to go and dry it. ...I cut it every two weeks. No, but other than that I just think I'm lucky.
AP: You move pretty well onstage for a guy in his seventies...
Stewart: Soccer has always been a passion of mine. You know, I played it, read about it, watched it all my life, and I still play a little bit. And I do work out a lot, I must admit. And that keeps me fit for onstage. How long can I go on? That's the million-dollar question. You know, I enjoy it. I get excited about it, and as long as that exists, I think I can carry on for another three weeks (laughs).
AP: Your two sons were onstage with you at your Madison Square Garden show this week. Do you always take them on the road?
Stewart: They don't come on the stage every night. Only when they're on tour (with me in the summer). And they pester me. The older one is getting a bit too old for it now. But the young one loves it. You know, he loves it. But having younger kids, I've got eight kids all together, certainly does keep you on your toes, and they, especially the youngest one, he's just so cute. He amuses me all day long. It makes me smile. And that's longevity in itself, I think being able to smile all day.
AP: You've always been a fan of the ladies, do you consider yourself a.
Stewart: Sex symbol? Now I hate that word. ..I never purposely went out to attract the opposite sex. I mean, it just comes with the music, you know, the music is very sensuous and vibrant. So, if I do something suggestive onstage it's merely by accident.
AP: "The Killing of Georgie" was bold for its time. Do you feel it helped change attitudes in some small way?
Stewart: Yeah, yeah, you're right. It was actually banned by the BBC when it first came out. But the most interesting thing about "Georgie" is I bump into a lot of people, gay men who say, "You know when 'The Killing of Georgie' came out, it really helped me through my breaking out and feeling proud about who I am." And that means a lot to me.
AP: The industry has changed. Is it no longer sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll?
Stewart: Obviously, I'm not, you know, sweet 16 anymore, and there are things I have to preserve, namely my voice. I really have to look after that. So, as I said, I was never really a druggy-type person because I played football and I was always getting up in the morning playing football and so that side hasn't changed a great deal for me.
AP: But things are changing, especially with the #MeToo movement.
Stewart: Well that's true. There were a lot of women throwing themselves at us in the '70s and '80s, and they were good old times, really great times. But, you know, the #MeToo movement is long overdue. But I must admit I've never had trouble, you know, entertaining women. I've always enjoyed the chase, actually. I'd never thrown myself on any woman. You know, I enjoyed romance and then the chase.
AP: Do you ever look back and go, "Wow, what a career?"
Stewart: Every day. Every day. I never take it for granted. I really don't. You know, it's just the best job in the world. I know that's an old cliche, but it really is. (President Donald) Trump thinks he's got a good job. I've really got a great job.
Online:
http://www.rodstewart.com/
PHOENIX (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jake Cronenworth hit back-to-back homers, Dylan Cease pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and the San Diego Padres won their third game in a row, beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-1 on Friday night.
Manny Machado hit a two-run homer. Cronenworth finished with three extra-base hits, adding two doubles.
The Padres had a big offensive game on the same night they learned they might be adding another good hitter. San Diego is close to acquiring two-time batting champion Luis Arráez in a deal with the Marlins.
“I think it's great — you're always looking for more offense and a left-handed bat to balance out the lineup,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “But listen, nothing's official. We'll leave it at that.”
The Diamondbacks have lost 10 straight series openers after beating the Colorado Rockies on opening day.
D-backs pitcher Slade Cecconi (1-2) retired the first nine batters he faced, but ran into trouble in the fourth. Jurickson Profar walked to start the inning and Tatis launched a shot to left-center — his seventh homer of the season.
Cronenworth followed with another homer to make it 3-0 and rookie Jackson Merrill broke an 0-for-20 stretch at the plate with a one-out RBI double for a 4-0 lead.
Cronenworth had a down 2023 season, but has looked much more like the hitter who was an All-Star in 2021 and 2022 through the first month of this season. He's batting .279 with six homers and 25 RBIs.
It was Cronenworth’s second straight game with a homer. He hit a grand slam in the team’s 6-2 victory over the Reds on Wednesday.
“It's the right approach with the right swing,” Shildt said. “He's married both. He's driving the ball to all different parts of the field and not trying to do to much.”
Cecconi didn't make it out of the fifth, giving up six runs over 4 1/3 innings.
The Padres' three-homer outburst provided plenty of support for Cease (4-2), the hard-throwing right-hander who gave up just one run on three hits while striking out eight. He didn't allow a walk.
“I think my fastball command was a lot better, which is really a lot of the battle,” Cease said. “When I'm getting my fastball where it needs to go, it opens up a lot of stuff.”
Machado made it 7-0 in the fifth with a two-run homer to left center off reliever Matt Bowman. The scorched line drive came off Machado's bat at 111.7 mph.
The sliding D-backs — defending National League champions — have lost 10 of their past 15 games and fell to 14-19 for the season.
“We got beat tonight,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "We got out-managed, we got out-pitched, we got out-hit, we got out-coached. We've got to find a way to get the job done and play our type of baseball. That's the bottom line.
“We're grinding away. We're trying.”
Arizona finished with just three hits. Eugenio Suárez had an RBI single in the fifth.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Diamondbacks: Lovullo told reporters that closer Paul Sewald (oblique) and OF Alex Thomas (hamstring) could return to the active roster as soon as Tuesday against the Reds.
UP NEXT
The D-backs will throw RHP Brandon Pfaadt (1-1, 4.63 ERA) while the Padres will counter with RHP Michael King (2-3, 5.00 ERA) on Saturday night.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte, left, celebrates his double as San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, front right, of South Korea, and umpire Phil Cuzzi (10) look for the baseball during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt watches the action on the field during the second inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Diego Padres' Manny Machado (13) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run as Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker, left, pauses at first base during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Matt Bowman, center, rubs up a new baseball after giving up a two-run home run to San Diego Padres' Manny Machado, left, during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Diego Padres' Manny Machado points to the sky as he rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte, right, slides safely into second base with a double as San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, of South Korea, applies a late tag during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., right, celebrates his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Padres' Manny Machado (13) during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
