Nile Rodgers expects Sir Rod Stewart to “pinch [his] bum” at Glastonbury next year.
The Chic icon claims he will be playing at the world-famous Worthy Farm music festival next summer and is expecting the “Baby Jane” hitmaker – who was recently confirmed in the prestigious legends slot – to get touchy-feely with him backstage. Worthy Farm has hosted Glastonbury since 1970, welcoming more than 200,000 attendees annually.
“Rod and I have been friends for 80 gazillion years, so that means he’s going to play tricks on me – I know that for a fact,” Rodgers told BANG Showbiz and other assembled media at the Rolling Stone UK Awards 2024, where he picked up the Global Icon Award – on Thursday, Nov. 28. The Rolling Stone UK Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in music and culture.
“He’s probably going to pinch my [butt] because he always does that – I don’t know what the hell he gets out of that. We’re going to have a great time together. I don’t know who’s in his current band, but we’ll probably jam in the dressing room and just do fun stuff. Regardless of what the world may think, Rod Stewart and I – we really love each other. We really are quite close. My ex-partner Bernard [Edwards] did one of his greatest records.” Bernard Edwards collaborated with Stewart on several tracks during the 1980s.
Rodgers claims that he will be playing after Stewart but has given little attention to who else could be in the line-up for next year’s Glastonbury. The festival typically features over 100 stages and 2,800 performances across its five-day run.
He quipped: “I don’t give a flying f— who’s on before me or after me.” This characteristic frankness has been a hallmark of Rodgers’ career since Chic’s formation in 1976.
Rodgers has sold more than 500 million albums during a career spanning half a century but will never be seen giving advice about music on talent shows such as “The Voice.” His influence extends beyond his own recordings, having produced landmark albums for artists including David Bowie, Madonna, and Diana Ross.
“No because I think that’s unfair for musicians who worked all their lives to be judged just on – you know, it’s like the Olympics, right?” Rodgers said. “You can be a great ice skater and just slip and fall. That has no indication of your technical ability.” This perspective comes from decades of experience in both performing and producing.
The upcoming Glastonbury performance will mark another milestone in both artists’ illustrious careers. Stewart, who has sold over 120 million records worldwide, will take the coveted legends slot, following in the footsteps of icons like Dolly Parton and Diana Ross.
Rodgers, whose band Chic helped define the disco era, continues to influence modern music through his distinctive guitar style and production work. His collaborations have earned him multiple Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The friendship between Rodgers and Stewart represents a unique connection in rock history, spanning different genres and styles while maintaining mutual respect and admiration. Their playful backstage antics have become legendary among industry insiders.
Glastonbury Festival, which takes place in Somerset, England, has become one of the world’s most prestigious music events since its inception. The legends slot, scheduled for Sunday afternoon, regularly draws one of the festival’s largest crowds and most memorable performances.
As both artists prepare for their Glastonbury appearances, fans can expect a combination of classic hits and possible collaborations. Rodgers’ extensive catalog with Chic includes timeless tracks like “Le Freak” and “Good Times,” while Stewart’s repertoire features classics such as “Maggie May” and “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?”
