Rod Stewart left fans unimpressed on Saturday evening as he belted out Sweet Caroline during the star-studded Platinum Jubilee concert.
The singer, 77, got the crowd dancing as he sang Neil diamond’s much-loved tune with his recognisable raspy vocals.
While partygoers went wild for Rod’s cover, BBC viewers felt Rod ‘butchered’ the famous karaoke song.
Performance: Rod Stewart left fans unimpressed on Saturday evening as he belted out Sweet Caroline during the star-studded Platinum Jubilee concert
After the show, Rod revealed he and his back-up singers all recently recovered from Covid-19 after jetting back to the UK in the middle of his US tour.
‘I just came home especially for this, and I got Covid and I got over it! All six of us got it, we’re just glad to be here,’ he said.
Welcomed to the stage as a ‘rock legend’, Sir Rod started by singing Baby Jane alongside three back-up singers, who wore dresses mirroring the Union Jack colours.
Sir Rod – whose wife Penny Lancaster watched him from the audience – put on a vibrant display in a bright yellow suit jacket, which he paired with black trousers and a crisp white shirt for the popping performance.
Legend: The singer, 77, got the crowd dancing as he sang Neil diamond’s much-loved tune with his recognisable raspy vocals
Loving it: William and his son George seemed to enjoy Rod’s performance as they sang the song from the royal box, as did Kate
Bold: He put on a vibrant display in a bright yellow suit jacket, which he paired with black trousers and a crisp white shirt for the popping performance
He did not fail to disappoint the crowd as he went straight on to sing the hit anthem Sweet Caroline as his second tune of the night.
Viewers took to Twitter to share their opinion on the performance. One wrote: ‘The party at the palace is good but how can you butcher Sweet Caroline?’
Another penned: ‘Was enjoying the Party at the Palace until Rod Stewart singing Sweet Caroline’
A third said: ‘Catching up with party at the palace, now Neil Diamond is my all time fav and I do like Rod Stewart but I’m sorry NO NO NO’
‘I’m going to pretend that i didnt just listen to rod stewart live and erase it from my memory because it makes me sad when amazing artists like him lose their touch. I love him but blimey that was something’, one added:
Loved ones: Sir Rod’s wife Penny Lancaster was seen eagerly watching her husband from the audience
Underwhelming performance: While partygoers went wild for Rod’s cover, BBC viewers felt Rod ‘butchered’ the famous karaoke song
Another wrote: Catching up with Party at the Palace tonight.. How dare Rod Stewart destroy ‘Sweet Caroline’ like that.. Don’t tell Neil Diamond.. he would be mortified.. Thankfully I could fast forward!!
William and his son George seemed to enjoy Rod’s performance as they sang the song from the royal box, as did Kate.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee enters its third day today with the Epsom Derby and Party At The Palace concert, featuring Diana Ross, Sir Rod Stewart, Sam Ryder and more.
They are part of a series of major events scheduled for the four-day extravaganza, which began on Thursday with Trooping the Colour and a jaw-dropping 71-aircraft Flypast.
The celebration will end on Sunday with a special Pageant celebrating the life of the nation’s longest-reigning monarch.
Wife: Sir Rod’s model wife Penny sported a stylish blue ensemble as she watched her husband’s performance
Exciting: Welcomed to the stage as a ‘rock legend’, Sir Rod started by singing Baby Jane alongside three back-up singers, who wore dresses mirroring the Union Jack colours
During Saturday’s concert, Charles and William are preparing to deliver public tributes at the concert to the Queen, who will be watching on television from Windsor.
The evening will also feature appearances from sports figures and stars of the stage and screen.
Sir David Attenborough, Emma Raducanu, David Beckham, Stephen Fry, Dame Julie Andrews, The Royal Ballet and Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds will all make appearances.
Incredible start: People gather along The Mall for the Platinum Party At The Palace concert outside Buckingham Palace
