Stewart claims he is more like 'intellectual' Bowie than people think (2024)

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They both rose to prominence in the same era, but with differing styles in both looks and musical genre.

And now, in a new interview, Rod Stewart has claimed that he and David Bowie are perhaps more similar than people think, reacting to years of criticism he faced from those in the industry.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, the 70-year-old rocker revealed his ire at not being called an 'intellectual writer' unlike his contemporary.

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'David has always been the darling of rock critics and I haven't,' he said.

'They look at him as an intellectual writer and me, just the opposite. To them, it's always black and white.'

With his iconic platform shoes and medallions, it's fair to say he has never really resembled the Ziggy Stardust star in terms of looks.

An exasperated Stewart - who stepped out in London on Tuesday for an appearance on BBC Radio 2, in his typical eccentric attire - said that he doesn't get the credit for dabbling with everything from blues to disco and folk, whilst Bowie does.

The Maggie May hitmaker was a contemporary of Bowie in the 1960s but their careers took radically different paths.

Bowie became a fashion icon and has been hailed for his groundbreaking sounds and experimental taste in art and music.

Stewart has always been far more populist and is mocked by his critics as being a throwback to the 1970s, not least because of his hairstyle.

The interview with the music publication also addressed why The Faces, Stewart's band in the 1960s and 70s, have not reformed for a world tour despite playing a one off reunion gig last year.

The band have been touring but with Simply Red's Mick Hucknall as the lead vocalist.

Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood, who was also in The Faces blamed Stewart's longtime manager Arnold Stiefel for the singer's absence from the band.

Wood said: 'He makes everything about money. We just want to get together and play for the people.'

But Stiefel laughed the criticism off and said: 'Did I actually hear someone from the Rolling Stones tell me something is all about money?

'That's the funniest line I've ever heard!'

David Bowie

Read more:

• Page 4 of How Rod Stewart Thrilled Vegas, Reunited Faces | Rolling Stone

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