Stevie Nicks will support Rod Stewart at Hard Rock Calling
Some exciting news has sat idling in Beehive City’s inbox for far too long… But being the completists that we are, we bring you the confirmation that Rod Stewart will headline Sunday night at this year’s Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park, London. As consummate professionals (read lucky, very lucky), we are able to sugar the bitter pill of old news with the sweet new announcement that Stevie Nicks will join him in a supporting slot.
The Rodster confirmed the headline slot when speaking to DJ Christian O’Connell on Absolute Radio on Monday morning and revealed that he is still excited about performing live: “It’s a privilege for anybody in show-business, because we’re earning a living out of something we love doing, so to get up and sing, whether it be to 5,000 or 50,000, is a privilege, and I still genuinely love it, I really do. I mean, you can see when I’m on the stage I’ve got a smile on my face for two hours, you know, I love it.”
Good news for everyone planning to make their way to Hyde Park on Sunday 26th June then. The singer will also be touring the US, with a run of 18 shows starting on 20th March.
The US shows will feature Stevie Nicks as a support act, so today’s announcement that Nicks will also play Hard Rock Calling comes as little surprise. The former Fleetwood Mac singer, who is a multi-Grammy winning artist in her own right, will draw just as many fans as Stewart to the Sunday concert.
And did Rod hint at some other possible Hard Rock Calling acts when interviewed on Absolute Radio? Talking about the current music scene, he told DJ Christian O’Connell: “I do love Adele, I think she is absolutely fabulous, I love Adele. My favourite band in the States is Arcade Fire.”
Perhaps a bit of a tenuous link on our part, but with the Friday concert yet to be announced, there might be the opportunity for Rod to see two of his favourite acts at the same time.
Then again, maybe he’ll have to get an early night to make sure his recently-arrived eighth child gives him enough sleep before the big show. Rod revealed that ‘eight is enough’ even for famous musicians, and wife Penny is in total agreement: “Eighth, and that’s it now, the office is closed… even [Penny] agrees now, that’s it, you know, but I’m very proud of all my kids, they’re just tremendous.”
At the age of 66, his philosophy is understandable – keep touring but no more kids…
Hard Rock Calling tickets go on sale on Friday March 11th at 9am and are available from the Absolute Radio ticket store. For more go to www.absoluteradio.co.uk/tickets
