Category: Ed Sheeran

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Rod Stewart calls Ed Sheeran ‘old ginger bollocks – I don’t know any of his songs’

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Rod Stewart has a new album coming out February 23. Swing Fever is a collection of classic big band tunes, much like he celebrated popular standards when he recorded The Great American Songbook. Some people don’t like it and/or get confused when an artist switches genres, but I think it’s a mark of growth and expansion. So I enjoy these offerings from Rod, just as much as I enjoy his rock ‘n’ roll roots. I also enjoy that Rod has a barely functioning filter which often leads to spectacular quotes. Case in point: The Times recently interviewed Rod and asked him what young(ish) artists he thinks will stand the test of time. Rod offered George Ezra. Only instead of saying George Ezra he said ‘whatshisname.’ In trying to identify ‘whatshisname,’ the interview suggested Ed Sheeran, to which Rod emphatically said no, not Ed Sheeran. Only instead of Ed Sheeran he said ‘old ginger bollocks.’ More on Sir Rod, whatshisname, and old ginger bollocks:

With a six-decade career, one Grammy Award and 14 other Grammy nominations, Rod Stewart knows a thing or two about music. It makes sense, then, that people would take note when he gives his opinion about current artists. And recently, Stewart sent a harsh message about Ed Sheeran’s discography that no one saw coming.

The “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” singer, 72, sat down with The Times for a new interview, during which he was asked what current musicians he believes are creating songs that will stand the test of time.

“I like whatshisname,” Stewart replied as he struggled to remember the artist’s name. “Oh [F-bomb]ing great, Rod. Well done. He’s British, really talented and his songs will be around.”

When the Times reporter asked if he meant Sheeran, Stewart made a surprising confession. “No, not Ed, I don’t know any of his songs, old ginger bollocks. Jesus,” he responded.

Ultimately, Stewart sang a part of the artist’s song, which the reporter pinpointed as “Shotgun” by George Ezra. “I think he writes really tremendous songs,” he shared. “He’ll be around for quite a while.”

Not that Grammy Awards are the end-all-be-all determining factor of an artist’s musical legacy, but for context, Sheeran has won four Grammys and snagged 17 nominations compared to Ezra’s zero nominations. (Although, he did score two Brit Awards nominations, a Teen Choice Award nomination and an MTV VMA nomination, per IMDb.)

[From Parade]

Um, you’re welcome, Ed! Look, I know I’m a child, but this stuff makes my day. There was a new spring in my step upon learning that Rod Stewart calls Ed Sheeran ‘old ginger bollocks.’ That was enough for me, but then I found out that a couple years ago Ed actually said out loud that he thought Americans didn’t make fun of gingers until South Park. In fact, he said the show “f–king ruined my life.” And boom, we have a whole new copper-hued layer to this! Did Rod know that ginger identity was a sore spot for Ed? I doubt it, why would he? He didn’t even recall the name of a singer he likes! If I were Ed, I would totally own the new moniker. He should make his online handles @oldgingerbollocks, or make it his next album title. Or the new name for his English country estate, currently called ‘Sheeranville.’ Oh the possibilities! I say again to Ed: own it! Fashion yourself the Original O.G.B. Let ‘old ginger bollocks’ be your banner!

For the record, I am a lifelong redhead enthusiast and have invested a lot of income into fooling the general public that I am blessed with the trait myself. I’ve even read and can recommend the book Red: A History of the Redhead, a fun and thorough read! I only wish I merited such a nickname. Instead I’m just reminded that I need to get my roots done.

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Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran already has a grave for himself in his backyard

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In early 2022, there was a brief news cycle about how Ed Sheeran was in the process of building a chapel on the grounds of his Framlingham, U.K. estate, which he very creatively calls, “Sheeranville.” In the application for approval, it was described as a “private place of retreat for contemplation and prayer.” The chapel wasn’t the part that made headlines, though. The part that caught everyone’s attention was his additional application to add a private burial chamber underneath it. In a recent interview with GQ, Ed was asked about the crypt and he gave some more information, including clarifying that rumors of it being a “crypt” were slightly exaggerated. He went with the ‘ol, “It’s not a crypt, silly, it’s a hole in the ground to bury me in someday!”

“I wouldn’t say it’s a crypt,” Sheeran, 32, told GQ in an interview published on Wednesday, October 4, clarifying that he actually constructed a chapel on his property to properly mourn the people he’s lost who have been cremated.

Sheeran — who also uses the sanctuary to host wedding ceremonies for his friends — noted that in addition to the chapel itself, he decided to craft his own final resting place so his children could come and remember him after his death.

“It’s a hole that’s dug in the ground with a bit of stone over it, so whenever the day comes and I pass away, I get to go in there,” he explained. “People think it’s really weird and really morbid, but I’ve had friends die without wills, and no one knows what to do.”

Sheeran has experienced extensive loss over the past several years. In 2021, his mentor, Michael Gudinski, died at age 68. The Grammy winner paid tribute to Gudinski at his memorial service in Australia at the time, singing “Visiting Hours,” an intensely emotional song he wrote in honor of his friend. The following year, in February 2021, Sheeran’s best friend, Jamal Edwards, died at age 31. Weeks later, Sheeran lost close pal and cricketer Shane Wane.

Though Sheeran has been candid about his grief through his music, he keeps most of his private light out of the spotlight.

[From Us Weekly]

Honestly, I get where he’s coming from in terms of planning all of this stuff out while he’s alive so his loved ones don’t have to worry about it after he’s passed. It’s a difficult subject that nobody wants to have to think about. I once worked in a law office that primarily did litigation on matters involving wills and estates, with surviving relatives fighting over such matters. It can get really nasty, especially when money is involved. The less ambiguity there is in those matters, the better.

Ed wanting to be buried on his own estate may sound a little weird, but oddly enough, I can also relate to this. After my friend’s husband died very suddenly in 2017, Mr. Rosie and I finally had “the talk” about whether we wanted to be buried vs. cremated, funeral services, etc. Mr. R. revealed that he did not want a wake (but we can hold some type of memorial or party for him “if we really must”) and that he feels very strongly about being buried completely naturally and, if possible, in the woods behind our house. After I got my “WTAF?” out of the way, he explained that he simply wants to naturally go back to the Earth where he came from. I can’t say I ever had “researching biodegradable burial options” on my life bingo card, but here we are. I got him to compromise on a cemetery that’s just a mile from our house, but he’s threatened to come back and haunt me if I don’t make a decent effort for the whole backyard thing.

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Ed Sheeran Lawsuits Music

Ed Sheeran wins copyright case: You will ‘get this with every pop song from now on’

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Last week, Ed Sheeran was in court for the copyright lawsuit that alleged his “Thinking Out Loud” lifted the chord progression from Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.” When asked by his lawyer what he’d do if he lost, Ed said he’d be done with music. Well, he won his copyright case like, the next day so I guess he’ll be treating us to more music. Ed sat down with CBS Sunday Morning to talk about the trial and his new album, among other things. He clearly feels vindicated, saying that you can only get caught if you’ve done something wrong, and he talked about chord progressions and the likelihood of commonalities between pop songs.

Ed Sheeran, one of the biggest musical artists on the planet, has spent the past two weeks defending his integrity in a New York City courtroom, fighting a lawsuit in which the family of the co-writer of Marvin Gaye’s classic “Let’s Get It On” claims Sheeran stole the chord progression for his song “Thinking Out Loud.” Sheeran opens up about the trial, his new album, body image, and more in an interview with correspondent Seth Doane for “CBS Sunday Morning” to be broadcast May 7 on CBS and streamed on Paramount .

Sheeran, who won the New York case Thursday, said that lawsuits are a fact of life for artists today.

“I just think it comes with the territory,” Sheeran told Doane in an interview conducted before the verdict was announced. “When they say, ‘There’s a hit, there’s a writ,’ it’s true. Every single hit.

“There’s four chords that get used in pop songs and there’s however many notes, eight notes or whatever, and there’s 60,000 songs released every single day,” Sheeran said. “And if you just think mathematically the likelihood of this song having the same chords as this song … You are going to get this with every single pop song from now on, like, unless it just stops, which I don’t think it does because it’s a big money business to take things to court.”

Sheeran told Doane it’s a topic that riles him up, and will have an impact throughout the business.

“You can only get caught out if you’ve done something wrong,” Sheeran said. “And I’m not – I have not done something wrong. I’m not lying here. I used four chords that are very common chords to use, and they sound like lots of songs.”

[From CBS Sunday Morning]

So when I read Ed was quitting music if he lost, I felt a little bad for him. (Even though I don’t like him and on the inside I was like is that a promise?) Because it sucks if you become disheartened and quit something you love. But hearing him now that he’s won, I was reminded of how self-righteous he sounded last time he won one of the multiple copyright cases that have been brought against him. Then I went back and re-read the article from last week and I was wrong. “‘If that happens, I’m done, I’m stopping,’ Sheeran said. ‘I find it to be really insulting,’ he added. ‘I work really hard to be where I’m at.’” That second line — that’s not disheartened; that’s flouncing off in a huff because you didn’t get your way. Ugh.

Whether Ed wins or loses his copyright cases, it still seems like he gets sued more frequently than other artists do. And even if there are only so many chord progressions, it does seem like a lot of his stuff sounds very similar to other (usually Black) artists. I don’t know what the solution is here. Something tells me this isn’t the last of these stories about Ed. But for now, he’s enjoying his victory and hopped up on a car for an impromptu performance in NYC after his American Express pop-up. Thank God I can’t afford to live in SoHo because this would have driven me nuts.

Ed Sheeran Jumps on Car for Impromptu Performance in N.Y.C. After Winning Copyright Trial https://t.co/jT3HIlPbH5

— People (@people) May 6, 2023

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Court Appearances Ed Sheeran Lawsuits Music

Ed Sheeran says if he loses his ‘Let’s Get it On’ copyright case he’ll quit music

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Ed Sheeran has been sued multiple times for copyright infringement on his hit songs. He’s settled once, won once, and had to retroactively award credit another time. The case for which he is in court currently is for similarities between “Thinking Out Loud” and “Let’s Get It On.” During hearings, Ed was asked by his own lawyer what he would do if the court didn’t find in his favor and Ed said if that happens, he’s done with music, but he didn’t elaborate further.

Trial reconvened Monday as Ed Sheeran spent his fifth day in court, where he is being sued for alleged copyright infringement over his 2014 single “Thinking Out Loud” and expressed his frustrations.

Launched by Structured Asset Sales — who purchased a third of the shares of the song from the family of Ed Townsend, who co-wrote “Let’s Get It On” with Marvin Gaye, in 2018 — the suit alleges that Sheeran’s hit took elements directly from the song.

During the hearing, Sheeran, 32, took the stand and was questioned by his lawyer Ilene Farkas. At one point, he was asked what he would do if the court finds “Thinking Out Loud” to be too similar to “Let’s Get It On.”

“If that happens, I’m done, I’m stopping,” Sheeran said.

“I find it to be really insulting,” he added. “I work really hard to be where I’m at.”

A rep for Sheeran did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for clarification.

Later in the hearing, the “Lego House” singer was questioned by the plaintiff’s lawyer Robert Frank. After offering up some stern responses, Sheeran complained about his line of questioning.

“You’re trying to diminish my success,” he said. “‘Thinking Out Loud’ was my first Grammy.”

Amy Wadge, Sheeran’s co-writer for “Thinking Out Loud” also took the stand and explained to jurors that the song’s tune sounded more like Van Morrison’s “Have I Told You Lately,” as it has the same chords in a different key. She also reflected on how she felt about being accused of copying “Let’s Get It On.”

“It was pretty devastating and pretty frightening because it’s something we did not do,” said Wadge.

[From People]

Ed has said in the past that he now films his songwriting process after the multiple lawsuits. This isn’t a new lawsuit since those comments, but maybe these lawsuits have disheartened him enough that he’s going to step away from music if this one doesn’t go his way. (I also don’t think the co-writer’s comments that “Thinking Out Loud” actually sounds like another song is the defense she thinks it is.) The article characterized him as stern and complaining and the quotes they choose definitely come across that way, but maybe he’s just really down about this. I don’t really know that stepping away from music is the answer? Is his reputation or popularity as an artist taking a huge hit because of this? Anyway, I’ve made clear in the past that I’m no fan of Ed’s, but if he quits doing something he loves because he’s disheartened that makes me feel a bit bad for him. Also, Ed had his docuseries come out and it sheds light on some of his personal issues, like his wife’s cancer diagnosis and the death of his close friend. The weight of those struggles is probably also at play here with the comments about quitting.

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eating disorders Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran on his bulimia: ‘so many people do the same thing and hide it as well’

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Ed Sheeran is currently touring and, according to his latest Rolling Stone interview, will be for five years. At the same time, he has his next album, Subtract, coming out May 5 and has at least three other albums written and almost ready to release when he figures out what he wants to do with them. And this is a man who considered retiring and becoming a stay-at-home dad just two years ago. But as his RS interview points out, those two years have been very hard on Ed personally, losing a good friend in 2021 and then his best friend Jamal Edwards died suddenly from a cocaine related cardiac arrhythmia. Then, while pregnant with their second daughter, his wife, Cherry Seaborn was diagnosed with a tumor that couldn’t be operated on until she gave birth. Maybe it was because of everything Ed’s been through that he got so raw in his interview, but he opened up about getting depressed and his past struggles with binge drinking and eating. For the first time, though, Ed divulged he combatted the calories from binging with bulimia. Ed said many people do it, but few men talk about it.

“I’m self-conscious anyway, but you get into an industry where you’re getting compared to every other pop star. I was in the One Direction wave, and I’m like, ‘Well, why don’t I have a six pack?’ And I was like, ‘Oh, because you love kebabs and drink beer.’ Then you do songs with Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes. All these people have fantastic figures. And I was always like, ‘Well, why am I so … fat?’ ”

“So I found myself doing what Elton [John] talks about in his book — gorging, and then it would come up again.” The Rolling Stone writer notes that Elton spelled it out a little clearer in his autobiography, writing, “I had developed bulimia.”

Ed continued, “There’s certain things that, as a man talking about them, I feel mad uncomfortable. I know people are going to see it a type of way, but it’s good to be honest about them. Because so many people do the same thing and hide it as well. I have a real eating problem/ I’m a real binge eater. I’m a binge-everything. But I’m now more of a binge exerciser, and a binge dad. And work, obviously.”

[From Rolling Stone via Just Jared]

It feels like Ed’s been trying to tell us this for years. He’s touched on his binging a few times. He’s exactly right that men do not discuss eating disorders or issues. Mainly it’s the starvation methods that are considered women’s issues but even obesity is side-stepped from general discussion in men. Ed is doing something huge by continuing the conversation he credits Elton John for starting. I’m sure he was uncomfortable brining this up. Ed’s already a media target and some sicko will make fodder of this. So kudos to Ed, because this is important. Bulimia is a tough disorder. It’s just as tough to shake as any other addiction but people don’t understand it, so it remains, as Ed said, hidden.

I also appreciate that Ed admits he’s refocused his binging from eating and drinking to exercise. Just because we consider dieting and exercise good for us, anything done to obsession needs further evaluation.

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Adele Ed Sheeran Harry Styles King Charles III

Why are so many British artists turning down the coronation concert?

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So far, we know for sure that Adele, Elton John, Ed Sheeran, the Spice Girls and Harry Styles have all turned down offers to perform at King Charles’s coronation concert, part of the three-day Chubbly holiday in May. Sheeran – more than anyone else in this group – has performed at some royal or royal-adjacent events in the past, including last year’s Platinum Jubbly. But with Charles sitting on the throne, it looks like the bloom is off the rose. British musical artists are avoiding Charles like the plague, which has got Rolling Stone wondering: “Snubbing the King: Why Don’t Big Stars Want to Perform at Charles’ Coronation?” Some highlights:

No more cheekiness: “The Nineties were so different in British pop culture. It was New Labour, everyone was playful and being a bit cheeky,” explains Michael Cragg, author of Reach For The Stars, a book about Nineties and ‘00s British pop. But, Cragg says, “that cheekiness absolutely isn’t here anymore. Now we really want to know who people are and the version of the Royal family that we’ve learned of recently through Prince Harry’s book and how the Prince Andrew scandal was handled: the reality is awful. You could not be the biggest band in the world now and walk up and plant a kiss on them and it still work.”

Artists are worried about the backlash they would get: “The royal family has faced a number of PR disasters in recent times, and anyone performing at the show would have to consider whether there would be a backlash from appearing amongst their fans,” says Simon Jones, PR to Little Mix, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson.

It’s straight-forward for many artists though: Kingsley Hall of political band Benefits, whose 2022 anti-monarchy single “Flag” was number one on the Official UK vinyl the week of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, explains of the British cultural temperature, “We’ve had so much exposure and negative exposure of the Royal family – jubilees, weddings, fallings out, accusations of racism, notable deaths, someone being accused of being a sexual predator – in what I would classify as a short space of time. People are sick of it and probably won’t be involved for that reason.”

Royalism is a dirty idea. Meg, head of a leading British music PR company, notes that both Styles and Adele are at points in their careers where they need to define themselves beyond a successful decade in music. “For them right now, storytelling is really important,” says Meg, whose real/full name has been withheld by request. “These big symbolic associations carry a lot of weight and literally go down in history books in bold and underlined. I can understand why there’d be a big PR discussion around artists doing it or not.”

Charles is not the country’s grandfather. “I don’t know what there is to gain for artists by associating with him,” says Meg. “With the Queen, she was fab and glamorous to some people. Charles doesn’t add anything — there’s not a legacy of his that anyone would want to align with. It’s televised, so a lot of people will hear your songs, sure, but in terms of long-term PR strategy, I don’t know if performing would add positively to an artist’s narrative unless they were staunchly pro the monarchy.”

The cost of living crisis in the UK: Ellie (whose real/full name has been withheld by request), founder of a British pop music PR company, says, “Strip back the gold and red cloak, and you have a country where parents are choosing between feeding their kids or keeping them warm. How much money is the coronation costing the taxpayer? It feels like a political statement to play.”

Adele is for the working class, not the royals: As Adele superfan Grace Martha from London notes, Adele is a proud champion of being working class from Tottenham, one of the most ethnically diverse areas in Britain. “The pomp and money this coronation is costing doesn’t represent her values at all,” says Martha. “This issue is so specific to our culture; Americans might think, ‘Oh, she’s from London and a cockney, why wouldn’t she do it?’ But they don’t understand the nuances of different areas, cultures, and identities here. She’s for the ‘everyday person,’ and the everyday younger person in London doesn’t rate the royal family anymore.”

British colonialism is front & center: That is behind the struggle to secure A-List British acts, says Hak Baker, a musician from London: “Any situation where I’d bow to an openly racist colonial imperial system that refuses to apologise for its past and eradication of my people’s history I’d rather avoid with a barge pole. We are more aware of the past now. They are not exempt from recognition. I think they’re going to have a hard time.” Han Mee of Manchester band Hot Milk agrees emphatically, calling it an “outdated institution” that does not represent modern Britain. “Leave it in the past, it’s as old, aged, and expensive as the whiskey that props it up but without the strength and merriment,” she says. “I liked Liz, but it should have died with her – the coronation is a kick in the teeth when this country has never been more of a s–t show.”

[From Rolling Stone]

The final point of the article is basically: King Charles and the royal institution are clout-chasing these artists, which means that the Windsors need Ed Sheeran more than he needs them. Which is true – it doesn’t hurt Adele’s career or Elton John’s career to turn down the Chubbly concert. Sure, they might have gotten a sales boost (the concert will be televised), but at what longterm cost to their careers? The thing I keep thinking about is that the Chubbly organizers went to artists who are world-wide stars, not “popular solely in Britain.” Adele, Ed, Elton, they tour arenas around the world, they see how other countries operate, and in some cases, they live in other countries. That gives them a different perspective on the royal sh-tshow and the politics of the monarchy. Anyway, I guess Charles will have to hire Kate for a Chubbly piano recital.

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Adele Ed Sheeran King Charles III royals

Adele & Ed Sheeran turned down King Charles’s invite to perform at the Chubbly

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Whenever there’s a big royal event, the Windsors ask Adele to sing. She always refuses them. I think she’s something of a low-key republican, especially as she gets older and especially as she lives full-time in America now. But Ed Sheeran? He seems somewhat cozy with the Windsors, and last year, he performed at the Jubbly concert. Well, apparently Ed and Adele were both asked to perform at King Charles’s coronation concert. They both turned him down. Hilarious.

King Charles’s Coronation concert has been dealt a huge blow after both Adele and Ed Sheeran turned down invitations to take part. The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the pair were asked to perform after the monarch discussed with organisers his hopes that they would appear. But both Sheeran and Adele have said they were busy and unable to play at the Windsor Castle event on May 7, the day after the King is crowned at Westminster Abbey.

A source involved with the project said: ‘The King has suggested a number of people he would like to perform and Adele and Ed were on that list. He was very keen that they were part of the concert. There is a team set up to get the talent signed up so they approached the two of them, but got replies saying that they were unavailable, which was a massive disappointment. They are titans of the showbiz industry and are quintessentially British but also known across the globe. It’s such a shame.’

Shape Of You star Sheeran, 32, is scheduled to appear at a show in Texas the day before the Coronation gig. While this would make it difficult for him to get to the Windsor show, insiders say it would be possible to make the nine-hour journey in time by private jet. He has previously used this method of transport.

Sheeran closed the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant last June with his hit Perfect, which was chosen as a tribute to the then monarch and her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Adele, 34, has nothing publicly listed for May 7 – or, indeed, after March 25 when her Las Vegas residency concerts come to an end. It is not yet known if Harry Styles will be part of the line-up, although it is understood the King wants him to take part. Meanwhile, Lionel Richie is close to agreeing, as are the Spice Girls, although the organisers have yet to confirm whether Victoria Beckham will appear. She has vowed never to sing in public again after suffering years of ridicule over her voice.

[From The Daily Mail]

Oof, the Mail is looking through Adele’s schedule and trying to determine what diary constraints she might have – because they don’t want to admit that Adele simply doesn’t want to sing at the Chubbly. Sheeran at least has an okay excuse, although it’s funny that the Mail is like “well, he should fly to London by private jet because the king demands it!” These people are not at Charles’s beck and call, for the love of God. I hope Harry Styles turns them down too, but who knows. I don’t have a good enough read on Styles to say whether he would participate in this mess.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.