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Ever wonder how Rod Stewart gets his voice to sound all raspy and raw? Perhaps it’s because he’s been having “a little gargle” of rum and Coke before performing for the last 40 years.
Speaking to Radio Times about his upcoming appearance at Glastonbury 2025, Stewart dove into his warm-up routines, post-show parties, and general affection for alcohol even at the ripe age of 80 (“One thing I do love is a drink,” he said). While some singers warm up for a show with tea or hot water with honey and lemon, Stewart has a decidedly different concoction to get his voice in performance mode.
“I always have a little gargle before I go on: rum and Coke,” he said. “Been drinking that 40 years. I never drink it any other time… The vocal cords need a lot of looking after. I mean, they’re absolute gold.” Sure, a Cubra Libre hits the spot nine times out of ten — but alcohol and sugar are dehydrating agents (sugar less so than alcohol), and most doctors would probably advise you to stick to water and tea before singing onstage for an hour. But hey, if Stewart’s extensive 2025 touring schedule is any indication, the rum and Coke shots will need to come in clutch for the English singer; get tickets for his upcoming North American run here.
English (US) · 