Yahoo News Plymouth's Lord Mayor abused by Rod Stewart fans after gig cut short
The Sailing singer was reported to have 'stormed off stage' when the power was cut before his final encore to comply with the venue's curfew.
Plymouth's Lord Mayor has been the target of abuse from Sir Rod Stewart fans, after the singer's concert was cut short.
The 78-year-old singer was reported to have 'stormed off stage' when the power was cut before his final encore of his hit Sailing to comply with the 10.30pm curfew at Plymouth’s Home Park on Saturday, 24 June.
Fans complained on social media and one was quoted as saying “the Lord Mayor cut Rod Stewart off".
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Cllr Mark Shayer, Lord Mayor of Plymouth told Plymouth Live: “I started getting telephone calls, numerous people were ringing up. I have even been sworn at at my local shop.”
He added: “I’m horrified to be implicated. To say I stopped Rod Stewart singing what is one of my favourite songs, on Armed Forces Day, it’s ridiculous. I’m livid.”
Cllr Shayer's father was in the Royal Navy and there are lines from Sailing quoted on his headstone.
The Lord Mayor said: "So how could I stop something as important as Rod singing that song?"
Stewart is currently on a UK tour of castles, country estates and football stadiums, supported by Boy George, which began in Plymouth.
He opened his set with a cover of Robert Palmer’s Addicted to Love and then performed another 21 songs.
Stewart finished with his hit Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? and was expected to perform an encore of his sing-along classic Sailing, when the power was cut, leaving the stage in darkness and the microphones without sound.
A Plymouth City Council spokesperson said: “Despite social media rumours and inaccurate, unsubstantiated reports online - Plymouth City Council and Home Park did not ask Rod Stewart to stop his concert on Saturday night. Any allegation that the lord mayor asked the performer to stop are also untrue. The Lord Mayor was not at the concert."
Stewart will next appear at Northampton's Cinch Stadium on Wednesday, 28 June.
Read more: Rod Stewart's son was rushed to hospital after collapsing at a football match
The tour will finish at Edinburgh Castle, where the singer, who is devoted to his Scottish heritage, has not performed for 13 years.
Watch: Rod Stewart has vowed never to retire
