Great TV from start to finish.
Between learning that he’s the ‘godfather’ to an Irish girl named Maggie May, becoming genuinely overwhelmed after receiving a book of poetry that was written by Joseph Mary Plunkett, and being reacquainted with a bunch of fans that first threw their scarves at him on stage at the RDS in 1980, it’s fair to say that Rod Stewart had a memorable appearance on the Late Late Show!
As soon as the singer stepped out onto the stage, he was greeted with a round of applause that’s rarely seen on the Late Late Show and his first words were “you don’t get that sort of reception on every show”.
From that moment on, you knew that this would be good.
After chatting a bit about fatherhood and his wilder days, Stewart was genuinely moved when the topic of conversation switched to his famous cover of ‘Grace’, a song that depicts the life and tragic romance between Grace Evelyn Gifford Plunkett and Joseph Plunkett.
During a previous interview with Billboard, Stewart said that he wasn’t allowed to perform the beloved Irish ballad during an appearance on BBC due to the apparent anti-English overtones in the song.
The BBC later said that this was “categorically untrue” but it’s clear that the lyrics and the story of Joseph Plunkett means a great deal to Stewart – he even visited Kilmainham Gaol, the place where Plunkett was executed by firing squad at the age of 28, and the grave of Evelyn Plunkett.
After meeting and talking with the song’s writers, Frank and Seán O’Meara, Stewart was asked why this song meant so much to him.
“It’s everything about him (Joseph Plunkett). This guy was a very intelligent man, he wasn’t some yob that you see running onto a football pitch. This man was intelligent – so were all the leaders that signed the doctrine. It just means so much to me because it was just fucking unfair the way the Irish were treated,” he said.
If that wasn’t enough, the singer then found out that one of his biggest fans named her child after his classic hit, Maggie May.
After hearing that Maggie May’s parents missed out on tickets to his upcoming gig in Cork, Stewart said that he’d do everything in his power to meet up with them prior to the gig.
All things considered, there’s going to be an awful lot of love for Rod when he plays Cork in the next few months.
These people certainly agree.
I thought Rod Stewart was excellent on the late late show tonight .
Can't wait to see him in concert in
Pairc u chaoimh— Padraig O Riordan (@PadraigORiorda2) March 16, 2019
Massive massive fan of Rod Stewart after that late late show performance ??? #latelateshow
— Keith Brennan (@Keith_Brennan16) March 15, 2019
You don’t get many days like this. Unforgettable, thrilled to get the chance to speak to Rod with my gorgeous sisters ??????@RyanTubridyShow @rte #LateLateShow @rodstewart pic.twitter.com/SAwQ4PFJFF
— Jacinta Lord (@jacintalord) March 16, 2019
The Rodfather with the parents of Maggie May backstage.#latelate pic.twitter.com/nvY1uDboMR
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) March 15, 2019
Honestly enjoyed every second of the @rodstewart interview on @RTELateLateShow tonight what a gentleman #Humble #normal #emotional https://t.co/TjaGaZnnMV
— Ray Kelleher (@RayKelleherCork) March 16, 2019
Think I’m after falling in love with Rod Stewart after watching him on the Late Late Show
— Darragh Sheehan (@DarSheehan1996) March 15, 2019
New found respect for Rod Stewart after that Late Late Show. #Grace
— Lucy Connor (@LucyConnor29) March 15, 2019
Rod Stewart on the #rte Late Late Show is one of the nicest interviews I’ve ever seen ?
— Éireann (@Eire_Doll) March 15, 2019
Have never seen anyone as emotional as Rod Stewart on the Late Late meeting the two lads that wrote “Grace” honest to God the whole affair is very pure
— Nuala (@NualaWhittle) March 15, 2019
Turned over from Irish night to watch Rod Stewart's appearance on the Late Late Show. You'd have to have a swinging stone where a heart should be, to not be moved by it. I know it was a pre-record and credit where credit is due to Tubridy and co.
— Danny McElhinney (@DannyMcElhinney) March 15, 2019
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