Rod Stewart wears colours of the Ukrainian flag and sings anti war song
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Rod Stewart donned the colors of the Ukrainian flag and sang an anti-war song on the first night of his UK tour at Nottingham Arena on Thursday.
The rocker, 77, sang his hit Rhythm of My Heart – which he first wrote about the Vietnam War but he says is “relatable to any conflict” – while President Volodymyr Zelensky was projected behind him.
It comes after it was revealed last month that he has found a home in the UK for a Ukrainian family of seven and promised to pay their rent and bills for a year after they fled Putin’s invasion.
Cause: Rod Stewart donned the colors of the Ukrainian flag and sang an anti-war song on the first night of his UK tour at the Nottingham Arena on Thursday (stock image)
While on stage, the star turned heads in a bright yellow jacket and a blue jacket to mimic the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
As he sang, poignant images of war and conflict were projected onto the screen to raise awareness of war’s devastating impact on civilians.
He previously said of the anti-war song, “I have a song called Rhythm of My Heart that’s basically about the Vietnam War and how pointless it is.” But it is related to any war. I will dedicate it to the Ukrainians. It’s the least I can do.’
Awareness: The rocker, 77, released his hit song Rhythm of My Heart, which he first wrote about the Vietnam War but says is “relatable in any conflict” — as President Volodymyr Zelensky was projected behind him (stock image)
He told The mirror for his show: ‘Words couldn’t describe what we were watching. Bombing innocent children, bombing hospitals and playgrounds.
“Like everyone else, we were completely beside ourselves. I don’t wish that on anyone. This is bad, pure evil.’
It comes after he showed huge kindness last month by helping a family of Ukrainian refugees.
Legendary British singer Rod has helped husband and wife Rostyslav and Olena and their children Taras, 17, Kostya, 16, Roman, 13, Mariia, 10, and Dymtro, two, start a new life in the UK by building a house in Berkshire , furnish it and pay the bills.
Support: It comes after it was revealed last month that Rod had found a home in the UK for a Ukrainian family of seven and also sent three trucks of supplies to the country (stock image)
The singer said he keeps his “charity efforts low-key most of the time,” but hoped that by making his actions public, they could inspire others to help too. He also said he considered it his duty as a “knight” to use his power “to do something for people.”
And Stewart recently met the family, who arrived in England penniless and didn’t speak a word of English, according to The mirror.
Sir Rod told the newspaper: “I walked through the door and they all came running down the stairs, all beautifully dressed in the Ukrainian national costume.
“It was so beautiful that they all made the effort. They made me a cup of tea and we had heaps of biscuits and chocolates, although the baby kept stealing mine. It was really magnificent.’
Busy: This month Sir Rod will kick off a series of UK arena engagements and play in Nottingham, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Belfast, London, Birmingham and Manchester
The star said he has also offered jobs to two other refugees on his estate in Essex and is considering buying another home so he can take in a second family.
He said he has been determined to do something since he and his wife Penny started seeing the horrors on the news.
Shortly after the invasion of Ukraine in February, he financed three trucks filled with refugee supplies and had them driven to Ukraine, before using the same vehicles to transport 16 people back to safety in Berlin.
He said he had wanted to go on the trip himself but had been advised against it and instead left it to his cousins Warren and Gavin and six other volunteers.
BBC radio presenter Chris Evans revealed Sir Rod’s secret funding efforts in March, when he discovered live on air that the exterminator he’d contacted was busily transporting refugees to and from the border with Ukraine, funded by the singer.
This month Sir Rod kicks off a series of UK arena dates, playing in Nottingham, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Belfast, London, Birmingham and Manchester.
He previously said he plans to address the conflict in Ukraine as part of the tour, dedicating shows to the country and its people.
Charity: He has previously said he is determined to do something since he and his wife Penny started seeing the horrors on the news about Ukraine