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When I check out, Rod's music is playing: Allan Crouch, the ultra-mative Stewart devotee from ‘Down Under’

Many of us are familiar with the situation where you hear a good song on the radio by chance and it's all over you. You get involved with the singer, who you may not even know at the time, and sooner or later, almost out of nowhere, you become a fan. Allan Crouch from Gorokan, New South Wales in Australia, had a similar experience.

‘I first became aware of Rod when he was still with the Faces,’ Allan told us. ‘I was 17 and still going to Narwee Boys High School in a suburb of Sydney. And at that time I loved the album A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse,’ Allan reports.

In 1974, the young fan had the opportunity to see the Faces live. ‘I was immediately hooked,’ recalls the budding “Rod Stewart ultra-fan”. 

What followed in Allan's life is also not unknown. Rod Stewart played an increasingly important role in the Australian's life. To this day, he has seen Sir Rod on stage a number of times. ‘I'm not sure, but it must be around 20 times,’ Allan thinks back. ‘I remember one time I was pissed off because Rod was playing six shows in Sydney - it might have been the Vagabond Heart tour - and I only had enough money for four shows. That almost drove me mad,’ laughs the Australian. 

Allan can proudly claim to have been on every tour in Australia. ‘I went to his concerts every time he was here and never missed a tour. The last time was last year’. 

ONE LAST TIME - the current tour motto was also a theme in 2023, and Allan does not expect to be granted another concert. ‘I don't expect to be able to see Rod live again,’ says Allan. But that won't diminish his love for the 79-year-old and he will continue to live out his passion for Sir Rod in the future. ‘I've bought all the LPs and CDs, my playlists are full of Rod songs,’ the Australian proudly announces. 

But there is one thing Allan would still like to experience. ‘I'd love to meet Rod in person one day, but that will probably remain a pipe dream’. 

His passion for the Brit will not diminish because of this, quite the opposite. His love for Rod will stay with him until his death and beyond, that is quite clear to Allan. ‘His music will be played at my funeral service when I check out. I've chosen ‘Sailing’, ‘Smile’ and ‘Havin’ A Party‘ for that,’ says the now 60-year-old, who adds with a mischievous grin: ‘My family thinks I'm a weirdo, as do my friends. But in a nice way, of course. At least they will never forget who my favourite artist was and is’.

Allan doesn't really have a favourite song, ‘it's almost impossible to pick just one,’ he says, striking a chord with many Stewart fans around the world. ‘But: ‘’Passion' comes very close to this predicate, I would love to hear it live one day. But never mind: once a fan, always a fan’. 

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