Calvin Harris has admitted that he takes a framed photo of Rod Stewart into the DJ booth at his gigs for encouragement. The Dumfries-born DJ appeared on Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds on Wednesday afternoon as he discussed the most unusual part of his rider.
Calvin, 38, who recently released a brand new track with frequent collaborator Ellie Goulding, said the photo is like "having someone just cheering you on in the corner".
When asked by Scott if he still takes the framed photo of the Maggie May singer to all his gigs, Calvin said "yes". He added: "Yes, he’s on the rider… the tech guys set him up [at each gig]. I’ve got this picture of Rod and he’s like pointing at the camera…"
Scott queried: "Is it the same picture that you bring, or is it on the rider for them to provide?" The We Found Love star added: "The venue doesn’t provide but the tech boys, my guys provide it, but there was one gig where they forgot Rod and ever since then they’ve got 4 or 5 identical pictures of Rod."
"That must put you right off your set [if you don’t have Rod]?," the radio DJ enquired. Calvin added: "Aye, it does. The thinking behind it is Rod is reminding you to engage, be present, have an amazing time and it’s just like having someone just cheering you on in the corner. If you ever feel alone."
The Scots star added that Rod's stage energy is the reason why he chose him for his on stage memento, and added: "It’s a very specific photo, Scott. It’s a very specific photo from the early 90s, I want to say, and he’s got the hair – the very famous hair. It’s the sort of era that you imagine Rod. Peak Rod!"
He continued: "So I’ve got him there in the corner and occasionally it creeps into some of the photos and people are like 'who’s... is that your dad, or…?' No! It’s Rod Stewart! And he’s helping me out!"
DJ Steve Aoki first shared Calvin's unusual stage addition in 2018, when he wrote on Twitter: "When u realize @calvinharris has a framed photo of Rod Stewart on his dj booth. Simply amazing"
The Scots DJ has more than Scottish ancestry in common with Rod, with both reaching number one in the US Billboard Charts with similarly titled songs.
Calvin hit the top place in 2011 for his collaboration with Rihanna, We Found Love. While Hoops daft Rod also reached the top slot in 1993 with All For Love featuring Bryan Adams and Sting.
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