Rod Stewart’s Glastonbury Comeback and His Busy Life
Rod Stewart, the legendary rock icon, faced one of the most challenging moments in his career before his performance at Glastonbury. His wife, Penny Lancaster, revealed that he was “never so ill” as he was during the days leading up to the event. The 80-year-old singer had been battling influenza, which forced him to cancel his US tour dates. This illness left him struggling to sing, and he was worried about whether he could deliver a strong performance at Glastonbury.
Penny, who has been married to Rod for 18 years, shared details about his health in an interview with Hello! magazine. She explained that Rod had contracted influenza A, which she described as the worst type of flu. It hit him hard, leaving him extremely unwell for the first time in his life. Despite his condition, Rod was determined not to let anyone down, especially those who were counting on him for his performance.
In the days leading up to the event, Rod was taken to a London hospital for a check-up on his vocal cords. He tried various methods to alleviate his symptoms, including hot and cold steaming. Penny noted that Rod was under immense pressure and was worried about meeting expectations. She said, “He was worrying so much about the expectations and pressure, everyone relying on him and not wanting to let anyone down. I think it just got in his head.”
To help him recover, Penny was very strict with Rod, encouraging him to focus on positive visualization of his performance. Just two days before the show, he managed to regain his voice, which filled him with confidence. On stage, Rod delivered a triumphant performance, joined by music legends such as Lulu, Mick Hucknall of Simply Red, and Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood. His sons Alastair, 19, and Aiden, 14, were among those watching from the stage, along with his daughters Ruby, 38, and Renee, 33, who brought their families to enjoy the event. Penny described the atmosphere backstage as “on fire.”
After the performance, Rod hinted at some new projects in the works. He mentioned that he has been working on new songs with Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie, 78, and drummer Kenney Jones, 76. However, he admitted that his busy schedule has delayed the release of an album. “It’s all down to me again. So I’ve got to get the lyrics finished,” he said.
Rod also outlined his hectic schedule, mentioning that he is working on two albums, two documentaries, and even started a project about his model railway, which he had to drop due to time constraints. “I’m just supposed to be doing a book about my model railway, which I’ve just dropped. I ain’t got the time. But there is a documentary. We have been filming it for some time,” he added.
Despite his busy life, Rod remains optimistic about his future. His record label is pushing for another solo effort, and he admitted that they want him to make a country album. “My dear record company want me to make a country album,” he said.
Juggling all these commitments, Rod concluded, “There’s so much in the pipeline but I’ve had to drop a few things. I’m just so busy, which thank the Lord I am.” His determination and passion for music continue to drive him forward, proving that even at 80, he’s still making waves in the industry.
