Rod Stewart takes swipe at Ed Sheeran: “I don’t know any of his songs”

nme.com:

Rod Stewart has taken a shot at Ed Sheeran, suggesting that he “didn’t know any of his songs”, while praising the “tremendous” George Ezra.The rock legend was being interviewed by The Times when he was asked whether he thought that there were still songwriters creating timeless songs.“I’m sure they are,” he replied. “You mean like ‘Maggie May’?

Songs that will be played in 50 years? I like whatshisname…he’s British, really talented….” When the interviewer suggested if he was referring to Sheeran, Stewart retorted: “No, not Ed, I don’t know any of his songs, old ginger [redacted].

Jesus…”Instead, Stewart began to sing the refrain of Ezra’s ‘Shotgun’. “I think he writes tremendous songs,” he said. “He’ll be around for quite a while.”Stewart’s new album ‘Swing Fever’, a collaboration with Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, is released on February 23, made up of 13 covers of classic Broadway songs.He continued in the interview by comparing what he perceives to be the difference in motivation between his generation and the current group of popstars. “We were brave in those days to go into the music business,” he said. “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 [Rolling] Stones, Elton [John] — we all came into it because we loved the music.