NEVER A DULL MOMENT

Much buzz surrounds a U.K. press story asserting that Rod Stewart has pulled out of a catalog deal with Hipgnosis. Insiders say the article—in which the British rocker claims to be protecting his “life’s work” with the move—could well be a negotiating tactic.

They also point to Stewart’s now-legendary frugality; said thrift was believed to have motivated Stewart’s decision to part ways with manager Arnold Stiefel, whom the 78-year-old singer allegedly didn’t wish to pay in the deal, blowing up a 40-year relationship. Longtime Stewart attorney Barry Tyreman is thought to have put the knife in Arnold’s back. Meanwhile, sources in Rod Land say Hipgnosis was entering into a personal-management contract with the star as part of the catalog deal—and that both parties had been operating under that assumption for over a year now.