Rod Stewart leads Shaun Keaveny’s all-star ensemble for 6 Music’s Christmas Song

  • Rod Stewart on vocals
  • Suede’s Bernard Butler on guitar, Level 42’s Mark King on bass
  • Produced by Steve Levine

In a coming together of musical minds, the legendary Rod Stewart has recorded vocals for a Christmas song written by BBC Radio 6 Music’s breakfast show presenter, Shaun Keaveny. The track, entitled ‘Please Don’t Get Me Anything for Christmas’, received its much-anticipated first play during Shaun’s show today . It is now available as a free download from bbc.co.uk/6music.

The idea came about back in November when Rod was interviewed by Shaun, who mentioned that he’d had the idea of penning a Christmas song with a “Rod Stewart-style vocal”. The two-time rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Living Legend Award-winner persuaded Shaun that he should write the track, saying: “I’ll sing on it for you if you want, just send it through and I’ll record it. You’ve got my word.”

Inspired, Shaun then created his masterpiece and set about orchestrating the all-star line up to get involved.

Shaun Keaveny said: “Slade, Wizzard, Jona Lewie, Cliff, Shaky, I feel for you all. Your Christmas reign is over. Your PRS cheques will dry to a trickle, for there’s a new kid in town. I have hewn a festive-inflected anti-materialistic anthem called ‘Please Don’t Get Me Anything For Christmas’, and it’s got Rod Stewart, Bernard Butler and Level 42’s Mark King on it!"

He continues: “I have to buy them all dinner to say thanks, so you could say it’s a supper-group... (tumbleweed). Chris Hawkins and Matt Everitt add inspiration and perspiration, respectively. It’s our Christmas present to you, our dear listeners, and it’s free, regrettably.”

The track features Shaun in suitably festive form on vocals alongside Rod. Former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler plays guitar, with friend-of-the-show Level 42’s Mark King on bass. From 6 Music, former Menswear drummer Matt Everitt makes his long-awaited comeback, Early Breakfast presenter Chris Hawkins is inspirational on sleigh bells, and the 6 Music Choir featuring the station's most tuneful staff are like an angelic chorus on backing vocals. Grammy and Brit award-winning record producer Steve Levine - known for his work with the Beach Boys and Culture Club – has produced the track in his Liverpool-based studio.

Mark King said: “As Christmas Turkeys go, it's huge, but we had a lot of fun making it, and I'm actually rather proud to be involved.”

BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music’s Head of Music, Jeff Smith, said: “To top off a stellar year for music, what better treat than a new and exciting Christmas record to refresh the festive repertoire of all radio stations. Whilst we await that new classic, 6 Music’s Shaun Keaveny has knocked this seasonal number out.”

Shaun will be appearing on Steve Lamacq’s 6 Music show this afternoon (4-7pm) for an in-depth interview about the track and how it came together. Following this interview, a special behind-the-scenes video on the making of the Christmas song will go online at bbc.co.uk/6music.

Tomorrow (Thursday 10 December), Rod Stewart will be performing at the BBC Music Awards 2015 at The Genting Arena, Birmingham. The show will be broadcast that night at 8pm on BBC One, BBC Radio 2 and at bbc.co.uk/musicawards.

Notes to Editors

Shaun's song can be downloaded for free here.

December 9, 2015 6:49am ET by BBC Radio 6 Music   Comments (0)

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