Rod Stewart Shares He’s Losing His Memory
via The Howard Stern Show / YouTube
Rod Stewart is returning to Glastonbury Festival this weekend in a historic way—becoming the first artist to headline the event and then return years later to take on the prestigious Legend’s Slot. The 79-year-old singer will take the Pyramid Stage this Sunday afternoon, promising a performance packed with classic hits and guest appearances.
But while anticipation builds, Stewart made a candid revelation in a recent interview with the BBC: he has no memory of his original headlining set at Worthy Farm back in 2002. “I don’t remember a thing,” he admitted, adding that his extensive touring schedule makes past concerts blur together. Despite being one of the most memorable moments in the festival’s history, Stewart’s own recollection has vanished.
His honesty adds a human layer to his larger-than-life persona. As he gears up for his 75-minute slot, fans are left with a mix of nostalgia and empathy—reminded that even legends are not immune to the effects of time.
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The Memory Gap and the “Tea Time” Slot
When asked about his 2002 Glastonbury headlining performance, Stewart’s answer was unexpectedly blunt: “I don’t remember a thing.” Sharing the bill that year with Coldplay and Stereophonics, the veteran rocker confessed that years of performing have caused his shows to meld into one in his mind. It’s a rare glimpse behind the curtain of a life spent in the spotlight.
In the same interview, Stewart took issue with the label “tea time slot” for his 2024 performance, finding the term amusingly outdated. “That sounds like pipe and slippers, doesn’t it?” he joked. While the Legend’s Slot is highly respected, Stewart’s comments show he’s not entirely on board with how it’s branded.
Despite the memory lapse and the “tea time” jab, Stewart remains committed to giving fans his all. He acknowledged the shorter set time—75 minutes compared to his usual two-plus hour shows—means several songs will be cut. “I’m not gonna make any announcements between songs,” he said. “I’ll do one number, shout ‘next’, and go straight into the next one.”
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Surprise Guests and a Cup Final Mentality
Rod Stewart isn’t coming to Glastonbury alone. In an interview with the Radio Times, he teased that three special guests will be joining him onstage. Though he hasn’t revealed all of their names, he did confirm on the Peter Crouch Podcast that Ronnie Wood, his longtime bandmate from the Faces, will be among them.
Bringing on guests for a limited-time set adds extra energy and surprise, and Stewart knows exactly how important this show is. He compared it to a “cup final,” a nod to his love for football and the high stakes of the moment. “You’re trying to treat it like another game. But, of course, it’s not. It’s special,” he said, acknowledging the pressure and excitement that comes with the Glastonbury stage.
Scheduled for 3:45pm on June 28th, Stewart’s appearance is already one of the most anticipated of the festival. Memory or not, he’s determined to leave a fresh mark on Glastonbury history—and fans will be watching closely as the music icon delivers yet another unforgettable performance.
