‘Vow of silence’: Why Sir Rod just shut up for once

Things couldn't be better for our Sir Rod at the moment. His last concerts were all sold out and the fans celebrated the 80-year-old, who is probably performing his great hits around the world for the last time this year.

The singer spent the time between the shows in Milan on Sunday and in Lisbon this evening surrounded by his family on Lake Como. There really are worse places to simply switch off and unwind.

The music legend also used the free time to go for long walks with his wife Penny and son Alastair. However, passers-by who recognised Sir Rod and would have liked a selfie or autograph as well as a chat with the superstar were left in the dark.

This was because Rod had taken a ‘vow of silence’ and this message was dangling from a piece of paper hanging from a ribbon around his neck for everyone to see. "Sorry, cannot talk. Having vocal rest" was written there.

Stewart spares his voice between gigs on his European tour so that it can rattle off the set list powerfully again in the evening.

Incidentally, this is not the first time Rod has had the ‘note idea’. A few years ago, he also announced to paparazzi and passers-by on holiday on the Côte d'Azur with an incomprehensible message around his neck that he didn't want to be photographed. By the evening in Lisbon at the latest, however, Sir Rod should be back in fine voice. The show in the sold-out MEO Arena starts at 9 pm local time.