Still going his way at 60,

I HAVE been whisked down the emergency stairs of a plush hotel overlooking Wembley Stadium.

- Aine Kennedy

Semi-darkness and a reverent hush give the 15th floor the air of a museum housing a priceless cultural artefact. Which, in a sense, it is.

"What's up?" says an impossibly chiselled figure, rising from the void.

Then those famous sunglasses flip off and the artefact comes to life, with a gentle grin and a twinkle in his eye: Lenny Kravitz, irradiating this rain-lashed corner of north London with benevolent rock presence. We're speaking ahead of Kravitz's Pepsi Kick-Off Show at the Uefa Champions League Final, his first time at the football as well his first London show in five years.

The musician, actor and fashion icon turned 60 last week, days after releasing his 12th album - and seems more comfortable than ever in his leather trousers.