Rod Stewart is opening up about his secret two-week split from wife Penny Lancaster, saying that it left him heartbroken but inspired.
The British singer said he and Penny split up once during their 13 years of marriage, a two-week separation that led him to dedicate a song to her . That song, a cover of Tom Waits’ “Picture in a Frame,” is included on Stewart’s upcoming album.
“Penny and I broke up for two weeks and the song is about that time,” Rod Stewart said. “I asked her for a photo of herself in a frame so that I could see her when I went to bed and when I woke up.”
After two marriages and many mistakes along the way, Stewart said he’s learned some good strategies to keep a relationship healthy.
“You have to take the good with the bad, and women prefer you when you’re truthful. My relationship rule is, ‘don’t argue after a glass of wine — leave debating until the morning.’ ”
Stewart added, “I have always loved women, won some, lost some, but it’s not about the magic touch, it’s about being a better person and a good listener.”
Rod said his second marriage , to model Rachel Hunter, was especially enlightening.
“She was 21, I was 45. I married Rachel the same year my dad died, 1990. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry,” Stewart said. “In the end I did both. I became a good listener when I was with Rachel, something women appreciate. Up to that point it was my way or the highway.”
Rod Stewart gave some more blunt advice to USA Today , saying he wishes he could go back in time and be a little more conservative in his love life.
“Maybe keep your banana in the fruit bowl a little longer,” he said, jokingly. “It has got me in a lot of trouble.”
Rod Stewart added that by the time he met Penny Lancaster, he learned from his mistakes enough to be a better man. And when he did slip up at least she got a song out of it.
