Street performers can range from the exciting to the mundane, from spitting fire to going all-in on the air guitar. Their quality can also depend on a number of factors, such as song choice, the number of people watching, and of course their natural talent. What you’d never expect, though, would be strolling past a legendary artist who has sold millions of record, performing with a fan on the street.
But Rod Stewart did just that. He noticed guitarist and singer Henry Facey playing in London, in front of a small crowd.
The song Facey was playing was none other than Handbags and Gladrags, originally performed by Chris Farlowe but famously covered by Stewart in 1969. The song was popularised by Stereophonics, who covered it for the theme of UK cult comedy The Office.
What are the chances that Rod Stewart would walk past at the exact time Facey was playing one of his hits? Slim for sure, but these coincidences are a part of life. What happened next, nobody could have predicted.
To the amazement of onlookers, Stewart asked to join Facey in performing the song, and the pair performed an incredible duet.
Facey stuck to the guitar, and Stewart took the vocal part with his iconic husky tone. The crowd soon expanded, and phones came out to film the once-in-a-lifetime moment. Luckily, some passers-by caught the whole song on camera, immortalising the special moment for fan and superstar alike.
After they finished, Stewart gave Facey a hug and went on his way, soon becoming just another person wandering the streets of London.
But he is so much more than that, and the beaming smile on Facey’s face is a testament to how much a little gesture to a fan can change someone’s day and life.
Would you like to be joined on stage by your idol, or would it be too nerve-wracking? Tell us in the comments!
