The rock legend was being interviewed by The Times and reported by NME when he was asked whether he thought that there were still songwriters creating timeless songs.
“I’m sure they are,” he replied. “You mean like ‘Maggie May’? Songs that will be played in 50 years? I like whatshisname…he’s British, really talented….” When the interviewer suggested if he was referring to Sheeran, Stewart retorted: “No, not Ed, I don’t know any of his songs, old ginger [redacted]. Jesus…”
‘Ed Sheeran? I don’t know any of his songs’
The singer on writing timeless classics, falling out of love with the Tories and his new swing album with Jools Holland.
Rod Stewart continued in the interview by comparing what he perceives to be the difference in motivation between his generation and the current group of popstars. “We were brave in those days to go into the music business,” he said. “We didn’t know where it would take us but record companies were different. They would give you a try.”
“Also, the people I came up with — The Stones, Elton John — we all came into it because we loved the music. Money and fame didn’t factor — it was a burning ambition to sing. That may have changed. Now it’s more, ‘Ooh, let’s have a go at music. I don’t even have to play well. Maybe I’ll get rich.’ Fame comes before everything. All kids want is fame.”
Instead, Stewart began to sing the refrain of Ezra’s ‘Shotgun’. “I think he writes tremendous songs,” he said. “He’ll be around for quite a while.”
Stewart’s new album ‘Swing Fever’, a collaboration with Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, is released on February 23, made up of 13 covers of classic Broadway songs.
George Ezra: Rod Stewart welcomes me with the enthusiasm of an estate agent trying to flog a particularly exciting lounge. The man has no barriers. He is all ceaseless enthusiasm and an explosion of clothes, jewellery and hair, tossed together to create the sort of pop star a child might draw. He can be loud, sweet, blunt, fun, brash and sincere all at once, and blurts out whatever is on his mind. “Dad used to do that,” he scoffs at biscuits dipped in tea. “I never got why. It gets soggy. Each to his own.”
