ROD STEWART revealed his cover of Tom Waits’ song Picture In A Frame, was inspired by his two-week split from wife Penny Lancaster.
Rod Stewart, 77, and his wife Penny Lancaster, 50, have been together for over 20 years, but they reportedly split up for two weeks several years ago.
In a new interview, Rod admitted he was left with a photo of his beloved partner before he wrote a heartbreaking tribute to her which appeared on his album, Time.
The songwriter explained: “I cover Tom Waits’ Picture In A Frame.
“Penny and I broke up for two weeks and the song is about that time.
“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.”
Rod and Penny first met in the late 1990s, when he hired her as his tour photographer.
But he was first to admit that over the years, he had “taken a lot of risks” when it came to romance.
He continued: “My relationship rule is, ‘Don’t argue after a glass of wine – leave debating until the morning.’
“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.
“I met Penny in my 50s and if I had not learnt by that point in my life I was never going to.”
The pair share two sons together, Alastair, 16, and Aiden, 10.
He also has daughter Kimberly, 42, and son Sean, 41, with his first wife Alana Stewart, who he was with from 1979-1984.
His second wife was model Rachel Hunter from 1990-2006, and they have Renee, 29, and son Liam, 27, together.
Rod also shares 34-year-old daughter Ruby with his ex-girlfriend Kelly Emberg, and Sarah, 58, with another ex-partner, Susanna Boffey.
Yesterday, Penny and Rod celebrated the rockstar’s 77th birthday.
The Loose Women star stunned as she shared new photos shared with her 149,000 Instagram followers.
Other snaps showed the drinks and the birthday cake the pair enjoyed during their fancy outing.
In recent years Penny, who also works as a model, has volunteered as a Special Constable in the police.
She had previously taken part in a Channel 4 reality show ‘Famous and Fighting Crime’ which trained celebrities to become Special Officers.
