'Even my grandchildren have started picking up the songs': Rod Stewart Molineux show 'dream come true' for super fan
He's Rod Stewart obsessed, and has been to 53 of his concerts - but Black Country grandfather Paul Hawthorne said watching the superstar perform at Molineux will be a 'dream come true'.
The van driver from Brierley Hill first saw the singer in 1980, when his friend – who had two free tickets – asked him to come.
"I said, 'go on then'. I didn't really like him. But he blew me away. I've never missed a tour since, " said 59-year-old Paul.
The tickets to Rod's concert on Saturday at the Wolves homeground are a 60th birthday present from his daughter.
He added: "I've never seen him in Wolverhampton. I'm a huge Wolves fan so to see Rod Stewart perform at Molineux is just a dream come true.
"Every tour he does in the UK I go to at least one of the concerts. This will be my 54th. I just love his music, the way he delivers it, his stage presence. He just puts on a great show."
Paul, who has four children and eight grandchildren, will be attending the gig with his wife Theresa.
They will also be popping along to the Rod Stewart Fan Club pre-party in Walsall – to meet up with fellow Rod enthusiasts.
Paul added: "I thought I was the only Rod nutter out there – that's what my wife calls me – until I heard about this club!
"Even my grandchildren have started picking up the songs. I picked them up from school in the car and my granddaughter asked if I could play 'Maggie May'."
Paul's favourite songs, however, of the star are Mandolin Wind and I Was Only Joking.
Rod will be performing at Molineux this Saturday to a crowd of tens of thousands.
