At 80, Rod Stewart is headlining Glastonbury’s “Legends” slot—but don’t call it tea time. “That sounds like pipe and slippers,” he jokes, after extending his set to 90 minutes and promising to rapid-fire hit after hit with zero chatter. From zebra-striped trainers to the real story behind his iconic hair (spoiler: it’s sugared water, not mayo), Stewart is still the raspy rebel we love. And while he doesn’t remember his last Glasto gig, he does remember puking before a show for three million fans in Brazil.

Introduction

At 80, Rod Stewart Refuses to Slow Down — and Still Rocks Like a Rebel

At 80 years old, Rod Stewart is proving age is just a number as he takes center stage at Glastonbury’s revered “Legends” slot. But don’t expect a quiet, nostalgic stroll down memory lane. “Legends sounds like it’s time for slippers and a nap,” Stewart jokes, brushing off any suggestion that he’s mellowing out. Instead, he’s cranking things up—extending his performance to 90 minutes and promising a high-energy, hit-packed show with no time wasted on small talk. “Bang, bang, bang—songs only,” he declares.

Ever the showman, Stewart appeared backstage in signature zebra-striped trainers, his trademark tousled blond hair still perfectly in place. The secret? “Sugared water,” he laughs, debunking rumors that mayonnaise kept it standing tall. That raspy voice, that swagger, that cheeky grin—it’s all still there. And while the decades may have blurred some memories—he admits he can’t recall his last Glasto gig—others are etched in crystal clarity, like the time he was so nervous before a concert in Brazil he threw up minutes before performing for over three million people.

Rod Stewart isn’t just surviving in the music industry—he’s thriving. In a business that often favors the young, he’s proven time and time again that talent, personality, and grit can outlast passing trends. He doesn’t just play the hits; he lives them. From “Maggie May” to “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy,” every performance is delivered with the same fire that made him a star decades ago.

What sets Stewart apart is his refusal to be boxed in by age or expectation. Glastonbury may call it the “Legends” slot, but for Stewart, it’s just another night to do what he loves—sing, dance, and keep the crowd on its feet. And if that means bending a few rules and skipping the chit-chat, so be it. After all, Rod Stewart was never meant to fade quietly.