Sir Rod Stewart, 79, opens up on personal loss as he reflects on inspiration for new album
Sir Rod Stewart has reflected on his earliest memories of some of his favourite songs from his new album with Jools Holland.
The 79-year-old shared how his late brother, Don, used to sing Walkin’ My Baby Back Home, which features in his latest record, Swing Fever.
Sharing a clip of himself and Holland discussing the inspiration behind their joint album on his Instagram page, Stewart told fans: “When did you first hear the tracks of Swing Fever?! Jools and I discussing when we first heard ‘Walkin’ My Baby Back Home’ and all of the other legendary songs from the album.”
Talking about the track, Holland asked the Maggie May legend: “So, when did you first hear that? Who was doing it?”
“Well, I used to hear my brother singing it,” the musician replied. “He’s just passed, so he won’t be singing it anymore, he was 94 when he died.
“And when I was a little kid all my family used to sing all these songs.”
“Did they sing them at Christmas?” Holland, 66, wondered, to which Stewart confirmed: “They sung them at Christmas, at Christmas parties.
“So even my wife, who’s only like 50, she knows all these songs, all of them.
“It’s not like you hear them on the radio, they enter the psyche and they stay there. That’s what you call song writing, I suppose.”
Stewart’s brother Don died in 2022. Stewart wrote at the time: “It has been a devastating 48 hours. We lost my brother Don on Tuesday at 94 and today we have all lost Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at 96.”
Responding to the emotional post, fans shared their own memories associated with the songs from the album.
Many also applauded the pair on their joint project, thanking Stewart for his new music.
Last month, Stewart took to social media to pay tribute to Cockney Revels star Steve Harley, who died at 73.
The iconic singer reflected on his close friend as he shared his “devastation” over the loss.
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Speaking to PA News Agency, eh commented: “Absolutely devastated, words fail me.
“The Cockney Rebel has left us. Loved you and admired you Steve and always will. Sir Rod Stewart.”
Harley penned songs for the rocker in the past and the two had been close.