Sir Rod Stewart has taken a veiled swipe at Ed Sheeran by admitting he doesn’t know any of his songs.
The ‘Handbags and Gladrags’ hitmaker, 79, took aim at the 32-year-old Grammy winner before heaping praise on pop star George Ezra, 30, for penning “really tremendous songs” that he believes will stand the test of time.
Asked if timeless songs are still being made, he told The Times newspaper: “I’m sure they are.
“You mean like Maggie May?
“Songs that will be played in 50 years?” Exactly. “I like whatshisname. Oh great, Rod. Well done. He’s British, really talented and his songs will be around. Erm …”
Asked if he meant the ‘Shape of You’ hitmaker, he replied: “No, not Ed, I don’t know any of his songs, old ginger [redacted]. Jesus …”
He then sang a lyric to George’s song ‘Shotgun’: “I’ll be riding shotgun …”
When the interviewer named him, he continued: “Yes! I think he writes really tremendous songs. He’ll be around for quite a while.”
In the joint interview with Jools Holland – who has teamed up with Rod on the album ‘Swing Fever’ – his collaborated added: “More people want to do it and fewer people are able to do it.”
The ‘Sailing’ hitmaker then took a pop at “kids” in music today just wanting fame and money and not caring about their craft.
He said: “We were brave in those days to go into the music business.
“We didn’t know where it would take us but record companies were different. They would give you a try.
Also, the people I came up with — the Stones, Elton — we all came into it because we loved the music. Money and fame didn’t factor — it was a burning ambition to sing. That may have changed. Now it’s more, ‘Ooh, let’s have a go at music. I don’t even have to play well. Maybe I’ll get rich.’ Fame comes before everything. All kids want is fame.”