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Sir Rod Stewart reveals he needed a bottle of wine to write his early hits

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Rod Stewart performs during The BRIT Awards 2020 at The O2 Arena on February 18, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Rod Stewart performs during The BRIT Awards 2020 at The O2 Arena on February 18, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

He is one of the most celebrated musicians of the last century, but legend Sir Rod Stewart has revealed he needed locking in a room with some alcohol to write his early hits.

There aren’t many professions where a manager would encourage boozing to get the job done, but the world of rock and roll is obviously an exception.

The Sailing hitmaker is known to enjoy a tipple, and music bosses used this to their advantage, with Stewart saying he would be locked in hotel rooms with a bottle until songs were complete.

Read more: Rod Stewart shows support for NHS from self-isolation in Florida

He told Johnnie Walker on BBC Radio 2’s Sounds of the Seventies: “They used to have to lock me up with a bottle of wine and take the key and say, ‘Get it finished in the next four or five hours’. That would work.

“I’d hear them all in the corridor, laughing, at the Holiday Inn: ‘Oh yeah look at Stewart. He is there trying to finish the lyrics’.”

ASCOT, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 15: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Sir Rod Stewart watches the racing as he attends day 2 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 15, 2016 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Sir Rod Stewart watches the racing as he attends day 2 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 15, 2016 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

The 75-year-old also revealed that despite his confident on-stage persona, he was often plagued with doubts his lyrics weren’t up to scratch.

He said: “That’s the worst feeling, when you think you’re writing absolute tripe.”

24th February 1975:  British singer Rod Stewart holds a bottle of Blue Nun wine and talks with British singer David Bowie backstage at Madison Square Garden, where Stewart performed, New York City. Stewart is wearing matching satin pants and vest, with a satin shirt and polka-dot scarf. Bowie is wearing a suit with a fedora hat and aviator sunglasses.  (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Rod Stewart holds a bottle of Blue Nun wine and talks with David Bowie backstage at Madison Square Garden, where Stewart performed, New York City. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

He added: “You’ve really got it or you haven’t. It’s either in your blood or it’s a natural feel for music. I’ve always loved listening to music.”

Unsurprising, considering millions of records sold and his place his rock and roll history cemented, Steward’s doubts about his ability are a thing of the past.

Read more: Sir Rod Stewart arrested and charged for punching security guard at US hotel

He explained: “I have gained a lot more confidence now of course. These are the happiest days of my life.”

The former Faces frontman is still performing his hits to an adoring audience, though his 2020 summer tour of the US has been postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Stewart’s appearance on Johnnie Walker’s Sounds of the Seventies can be listened to online now.