The British singer, on holiday in Mallorca, heard Johann del Río performing 'Piano Man' and, not having cash, asked a relative to give a tip. The Mexican musician claims he will never forget the gesture.
The street musician Johann del Río had an unforgettable evening on Monday in Port de Sóller. While performing Piano Man by Billy Joel on the promenade, he encountered Rod Stewart, who was walking with his family. The rock star, who has sold 250 million records, stopped to listen and, not having any money, asked a relative to leave a tip in the guitar case.
Del Río, who has been in Mallorca for six years and a singer-songwriter for two decades, recounts that the night was quiet when he saw a group of about ten people approaching. “One of the girls in front started dancing to the rhythm of the waltz and I didn’t see him at first because he was behind,” he explains. When the group reached him, Rod Stewart positioned himself in front of him. “I recognised him immediately, so he smiled and we greeted each other,” he recalls.
The Mexican artist, who usually performs in front of the Albatros bar, continued playing while the singer searched his pockets. “He didn’t have any money, so he turned to a relative to give it to him. After leaving it in the case, he gave me a thumbs-up to indicate that he liked how I played and we laughed. He was very nice,” he remembers excitedly.
What has impressed Johann del Río the most is the coincidence of the encounter: 30 years ago he heard Rod Stewart live in his native Mexico. “It was very beautiful, an anecdote I will never forget,” he states. He does not yet have any songs by the Brit in his repertoire, although he assures that he will add them “without a doubt.” His main songs are covers from the 60s and 70s, as well as acoustic rock, so there is room to include one or more from the 81-year-old holidaymaker.
Rod Stewart arrived at Port de Sóller aboard the megayacht Coral Ocean, measuring 72 meters in length and valued at over 100 million dollars. During this week he has sailed along the western coast of Mallorca and the Serra de Tramuntana. A day earlier, he attended the World Cup final at the Pereyra theatre in Ibiza, where he has a VIP box. The singer, a sailing enthusiast, may return next summer.
Johann del Río will continue performing in front of the Albatros in Port de Sóller on Mondays and Thursdays, while the rest of the week he splits his time between hotels in Pollença and the bar s’Hotel in Binissalem. He hopes that his album Burocrazya, available on Spotify, will receive more visits after the praise from a music legend.
Rod Stewart's gesture recalls his origins as a street artist in London, Paris, and Barcelona, from where he was expelled during Franco's regime. Now, from his megayacht, he demonstrated that he has not forgotten his roots and wanted to support a fellow professional in an improvised stage in Port de Sóller.
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