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09.04.2024, 10:00

Wolfie's goes Germany: sipping his whiskey backstage with Rod Stewart

Around four weeks to go until Rod Stewart's European tour kicks off with a concert in Antwerp on 11 May. As is well known, the 79-year-old singer will also be performing numerous concerts in Germany as part of...   mehr

21.02.2024, 14:03

Swing Fever: Rod Stewart and Jools Holland release their first album together

A new swing album is being released, which in itself is not big news. It happens every now and then in the music world. But when this new album is released by Rod Stewart and Jools Holland, it's worth taking a...   mehr

25.01.2024, 14:14

Ranking: The best live albums of all time

The music magazine "Musikexpress" has published a list of the best 100 live albums of all time. Rod Stewart made it to 93rd place with the album "Absolutely Live". The magazine also voted Nirvana's MTV...   mehr

17.01.2024, 10:17

Concert tickets: the secret behind the pricing

The announcement of a tour by our favourite artist regularly sends us into a state of complete ecstasy and anticipation. We have to be there, preferably very close to the stage, in row 1, eagerly awaiting the...   mehr

10.01.2024, 12:32

10 January - the date that connects me to Rod Stewart more than any other

Sharing your birthday with your favourite musician is something special. You experience the day with even more joy because you know that somewhere else the singer you trust is also celebrating his very special...   mehr

08.01.2024, 12:55

An evening at Twickenham railway station changed the music world thanks to Long John Baldry

In the long career of Rod Stewart, there are probably two events that had the greatest impact on his career as one of the world's best singers. One was the day in 1971 when a radio presenter in Cleveland...   mehr

03.01.2024, 11:32

Welcome 2024 - the tour countdown is on

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers and friends a happy, healthy and successful New Year 2024. Many of us spent the New Year with friends and acquaintances, family and colleagues....   mehr

11.12.2023, 11:24

The song that really got everything going: Maggie May

"Wake up Maggie, I think I got something to say to you ...." - With this line of text, long-time Rod Stewart fans immediately know what's coming. The opening of the song MAGGIE MAY is like an anthem at the...   mehr

03.12.2023, 11:02

European Championship kick-off and Leipzig concert: Saxon fans may be expected to be flexible

Football and Rod Stewart belong together like Big Ben and London, like Paris and the Eiffel Tower, like Munich and the Oktoberfest: you can't have one without the other. The now 78-year-old singer has been a...   mehr

27.11.2023, 18:01

Between Rod Stewart and Vladimir Klitchko: Düsseldorf musician Gina Brese tells her story about a legendary performance with Rod Stewart

Who among us hasn't dreamed of being on stage with Rod Stewart and performing a song? Gina Brese, singer, saxophonist and songwriter from Düsseldorf, experienced this dream back in 2015. On 28 November 2015,...   mehr

27.11.2023, 10:38

Album of the week: Tonight I'm Yours (1981)

We all know the feeling. You hear the latest song by your favorite artist on the radio and of course you want to have that record right away. So you run off to the nearest record store .... Oops, sorry, wrong...   mehr

24.11.2023, 09:09

Concert Review: Saying Goodbye to 2023 in Style (by Sue Walton)

The November 22, 2023 was Rod Stewart’s last show of the year at Caesars Palace and in true Rod Stewart fashion he ended on a high note, leaving fans wanting more. Fortunately, “more” will be coming our way...   mehr

Wetten dass.... I'll meet you, Rod?

Next Saturday, the legendary TV show Wetten dass will take place for the last time in Offenburg. Since 1981, Wetten dass has been THE big Saturday evening entertainment programme on German television and has become the biggest TV show in Europe over the years. The programme was initially hosted by its creator Frank Elstner and later by Thomas Gottschalk, Wolfgang Lippert and Markus Lanz. The programme was initially discontinued in 2014, but there was a revival two years ago when Thomas Gottschalk returned once again as presenter. This coming weekend, however, the final edition of the TV classic is set to take to the stage. The concept of the programme was and still is quite simple. Various betting providers announce something special or bizarre that they can or want to do. A celebrity betting sponsor then predicts whether the candidate will make it or not. The show is accompanied by performances by celebrity singers and bands, who perform their legendary hits or current songs. The celebrity guests were a particular crowd-puller on the show. Wetten dass had them all: actors, musicians, sportsmen, politicians.
Rod Stewart also appeared on the seemingly endless list of show guests at one time or another - eight times in total. Stewart made his first appearance on 10 May 1986 in Dortmund, where he performed his song "Love Touch" and promoted the Every Beat Of My Heart tour that followed that year. Rod performed for the last time on 4 November 2006. In the Düsseldorf exhibition hall, he sang a medley of the songs Have You Ever Seen The Rain, It's A Heartache and Still The Same.
His performance in Innsbruck in 1995 remains unforgotten, when he served his mate Elton John a cup of tea during his performance and then fooled around with him on the show sofa before being asked by presenter Gottschalk to take part in a penalty shoot-out.
My personal Wetten-dass highlight, on the other hand, was the show on 20 March 1993 in Koblenz, when I was able to meet Rod in person for the first time.
Here is the story from Koblenz in (almost) full detail
1993, 20th March ... A sunny day began... I had breakfast and read the newspaper. Flicking through the TV programme, I noticed an announcement of Germany's most popular TV show "Wetten dass". That day, the show was taking place in Koblenz, which is about 100 kilometres from my home town. The announcement said: "The guest list for tonight includes: Mel Gibson, Karlheinz Böhm, Sonja Kirchberger, Cliff Richard and..... ROD STEWART!!!!
From one moment to the next, I was "on fire". I had nothing special to do that day, so I decided: I was going to go to Koblenz and try to finally meet Rod Stewart in person.
But I needed a plan, because it seemed pretty unlikely that they would just hold the doors open for me. And I soon had an idea. My friendship with long-time goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff would open the door for me. I took my signed Bayern Munich football, which was to be my bait, removed the dust from it, put on my best jacket and a tie and got ready for this special outing. I jumped into my car and set off towards Koblenz in a positive mood.
I arrived at the Oberwerth sports centre at around 1pm. The show started at 8.15pm, so I had enough time to look around and get a feel for the venue.
I took the bag with my ball and went straight to the security office next to the entrance. "Good afternoon, sir, what can I do for you?" the security guard asked me in a friendly manner. "Well, I'm looking for reception and the production manager," I replied. "Take the next door, go up the stairs, then turn left and you'll find the production office on the left."

No sooner said than done. I knocked on the door of the production office and a woman with large glasses invited me in. "What can I do for you?" And now it was time to tell my story: "Oh, I've come all the way from Düsseldorf. I'm good friends with Jean-Marie Pfaff, the former goalkeeper of Bayern Munich and the Belgian national team (note: which is absolutely true, I've actually been working for his management for a few years now). He once met Rod Stewart in Ostend (note: 1986, which is also true) and promised to give him a signed football from the Munich team. I reached into my bag and took out the ball: "... and I have this ball with me today. So I'd like to know if I have the opportunity to meet Mr Stewart before the show."

The lady looked at me like I was an alien. I had the feeling that she didn't believe my story, which was admittedly partly a hoax.... Jean-Marie had never promised to give Rod a ball, but the good lady didn't know that. I expected to be thrown out again immediately. But to my surprise, she replied: "Oh, in that case you'll need an ID card. You can't be in this area of the sports hall without it. Wait a moment, I'll ask my colleague."

I was getting nervous. Would my story really open the doors for me? It was quite clear that I could go home again without this 'pass', because I would never get the chance to meet Rod without a pass.
But then.... The lady with the big glasses came back and handed me MY BACKSTAGE/AAA PASS for that evening in Koblenz without any further comment. I was speechless at how easy it was to get such a pass ... But anyway, I was in the game and that was all that mattered at that moment.
I left the office and walked through the backstage area, checking out the dressing rooms and the stage where presenter Wolfgang Lippert was talking to some of his assistants. I found a small canteen and got myself a coffee and a snack. At this point it was only 1.30pm and still more than seven hours until the show started.
I looked at my passport - my most precious treasure of the day. AAA - All Access Area - I could go anywhere. To the left side of the stage, to the right side of the stage, to the backstage area behind the stage where the dressing rooms were, and I could also sit in the audience if I wanted to. I don't need to emphasise that I was a happy person. But it was still a long time before the show started.
While I was sitting in the canteen, I struck up a conversation with a man from the technical crew. He told me that there was a Rod sound check on the official schedule and it was scheduled for 4.30pm.
Only two and a half hours to go... I immediately went back to the production office and asked the lady with the glasses for a schedule, which I was given straight away. Now I knew exactly when I had to be where.
At 4 pm I went back to the gaiter area. Not much longer and Rod would come through the door.... And he was right on time. At exactly 4.30pm, a black Mercedes pulled up outside the entrance and a man with a long light-coloured coat and a black hat on his head got out - Rod Stewart had arrived.
Oh man, I was getting a bit jittery. He took the same stairs as me when I had arrived a few hours earlier. He walked past me and towards a grey door. There he disappeared into a room with a sign saying "Rod Stewart" on the door. A few moments later, Marcel Avram, the concert manager from Munich, followed.
So I plucked up all my courage and stopped him: "Good afternoon, Mr Avram. Excuse me, do you have a moment?" "Yes." "I've travelled all the way from Düsseldorf. I just want to present Mr Stewart this football" - and as I spoke, I took the Bayern Munich ball out of my bag. "It's signed by all the players from the 1986 team. Would it be possible to have a quick word with Mr Stewart?"
Avram replied: "I think we can do that. Please wait until the sound check is finished." "Thank you, I'll be happy to do that."
And Avram also disappeared behind the grey door. A few minutes later, however, the door opened again and Rod Stewart came out - in a blue suit. He walked the few metres over to the stage where the sound check was to take place. I followed him and realised that it was possible to watch from the right-hand side of the stage. Nobody noticed me and so I stood right next to the stage and Rod - maybe three metres away. How cool was that?
When the sound check was finished, Rod hurried back to his dressing room. Avram, who was also watching from the right side of the stage, signalled me to follow him. I did, and after a few seconds I was standing in the dressing room. Rod himself took a drink as I entered the room. It took him a moment to realise that someone had come into the room who didn't normally belong there.
"Hey mate, how's it going?" he said, coming over to me and shaking my hand. Obviously Avram had briefed him beforehand. I took the ball out of my pocket and handed it to him. Rod looked at it very closely. "Who signed this? And whose signature is that?" he asked me. "Oh, that's Lothar Matthäus, that's Jean-Marie Pfaff, that's Klaus Augenthaler," I pointed to each individual autograph.
"I like Bayern Munich," said Rod, "they're a very strong team with very good players. I follow all their games, especially when they play in the European Cup."
What a moment. Rod Stewart and I were talking football. I was as proud as punch. Then he said: "I have to go now because we're going to a restaurant for dinner. And the driver is already waiting." But first he signed a few photos for me, shook my hand again and put on his coat. "Are you going to the show tonight?" he finally wanted to know. "Yes, I'm staying here and watching the show." "Then I'll see you later," Rod replied, shook my hand for the third time and shortly afterwards got into the Mercedes, which was still waiting.
Wow! I was flashed! I was floating on a cloud.... It took me a few minutes to calm down again. I had met ROD STEWART in person and even had a brief conversation with him. I made my way back to the canteen, ordered two bottles of beer and celebrated my big moment - all to myself ....
The rest of the day is quickly told. The show started at 8.15pm, Rod came on stage at 9.25pm. He arrived a few minutes before, went straight to the make-up artist and then came on stage. He sang "Ruby Tuesday" that night, signed a few balls and kicked them into the audience. Then he immediately rushed to the exit, where I had already positioned myself again. He had my ball under his arm. He noticed me, shook my hand again and got into the car, which took him straight to the nearest airport. My marvellous Rod day was over. I went back to the canteen, had another drink, a snack and watched the rest of the show on a big screen.
After the end of the programme, I got talking to the aforementioned technician again. He proudly showed me an autograph from Rod on a piece of paper that he had probably received after the rehearsal. I nodded appreciatively and pulled my envelope with ten signed photos out of my pocket with even more pride.
Note: When Rod Stewart left the hall and shook my hand again to say goodbye, a reporter from a daily newspaper in Koblenz captured the moment with his camera. Unfortunately, I never received this photo. If the colleague ever reads this story, please get in touch with me. Because I would really like to have this photo in my collection.

The overview of Rod Stewart's Wetten dass appearances
10 May 1986: Dortmund, Westfalenhalle - Love Touch
3 March 1990: Duisburg, Rhein-Ruhr-Halle - Downtown Train
2 March 1991: Duisburg, Rhein-Ruhr-Halle - Rhythm Of My Heart
20 March 1993: Koblenz, Sporthalle Oberwerth - Ruby Tuesday
29 April 1995: Innsbruck (AUT), Olympiahalle - You're The Star
17 March 2001: Dornbirn (AUT), Exhibition Hall - I Can't Deny It
23 March 2002: Munich, Olympiahalle- Medley: Baby Jane, Rhythm Of My Heart, Sailing
4 November 2006: Düsseldorf, Messehalle - Medley: Have You Ever Seen The Rain, It's A Heartache, Still The Same)

17.11.2023, 11:49

Concert marathon 2024: Will Las Vegas really be the end?

The moment that Rod Stewart fans have always dreaded is getting closer and closer: the singer's departure from the stage. Barring a miracle, 2024 will be the last year in which the now 78-year-old will thrill...   mehr

15.11.2023, 10:04

Rod Stewart: Concert history in Germany

As we all know, Rod Stewart began his unique career in the early 1960s thanks to the legendary Long John Baldry, who listened very carefully to a young man squatting on the floor at a grey and uncomfortable...   mehr

12.11.2023, 13:43

Concert and party review: Rockin' In The Round Hamburg 2007

In the early 2000s, even before Facebook, Twitter & Co, the good old Storyteller was THE forum for Rod Stewart fans in Germany. You could register at the web address www.rod-stewart.de and then post, comment...   mehr

12.11.2023, 13:02

Rod Stewart Tribute: Rud Stewart (If the original obliges you and saves your butt)

He likes to call himself an Englishman who lives in Sweden: Michael Dean, probably better known to most as Rud Stewart, has also lived in Mallorca and has a soft spot for Australia and New Zealand. His great...   mehr

12.11.2023, 12:04

Rod Stewart Tribute: Rob Caudill (When Your Nose Gives You Direction)

Imagine you're at the airport, strolling relaxed through the city or sitting comfortably in a restaurant and all the people around you are staring at you as if you're from another galaxy, or constantly asking...   mehr

30.09.2023, 13:54

My ultimate setlist

There were 60 years of a unique career to work through. If my personal setlist were to be performed, Rod would probably have to be on stage for several days at a stretch. The following list of Rod Stewart and...   mehr

30.09.2023, 12:58

The arenas in Germany

Quarterback Arena in Leipzig Address: Am Sportforum 2, 04105 Leipzig Opening: 11 May 2002 Capacity: 8000 seats Website: https://www.quarterback-immobilien-arena.de The Rod Stewart concert will take...   mehr

27.09.2023, 14:03

Rod Stewart Tribute: Robin Stone

Young Reinhard discovered his love of music when he was still a three-year-old. It all began with a drum kit his father had made himself and the music of the Bee Gees. Today he can look back on a long musical...   mehr

25.09.2023, 14:05

Album of the Week: Foolish Behaviour

Foolish Behaviour is the tenth of 31 studio albums by Sir Rod Stewart and was released on 21 November 1980. The ten songs on the album were recorded at Record Plant Studios and Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles...   mehr

25.09.2023, 09:12

Story: The Faces thrill at their first concert in Germany - "Stewart's voice gives you goosebumps"

Hamburg, 2 December 1970: It's a cloudy day on the Elbe, with rain showers coming down again and again. At seven degrees it is quite cool. Not the kind of weather to chase a dog out the door. And yet, on this...   mehr

24.09.2023, 14:14

Album of the week: TIME - back to the roots

One should never say there is nothing left for a person to do after publishing his autobiography. Rock star Rod Stewart is a prime example in this respect. In 2012, he published his autobiography with the...   mehr

23.09.2023, 14:18

When Georgie Boy Really Pissed Off John Lennon

Without a doubt, ex-Beatle John Lennon, who would be 83 years old today, and Rod Stewart belong to the group of the greatest music stars this planet has ever seen. Both started their careers in the early 60s....   mehr