Rod Stewart is a legendary British singer and songwriter known for his raspy voice, charismatic stage presence, and genre-spanning hits. From soulful ballads to high-energy rock, his career has lasted more than six decades. With over 100 million records sold worldwide and multiple chart-topping albums, Stewart remains one of the best-selling music artists in history.
| Full Name | Roderick David Stewart |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Rod Stewart |
| Birth Date | January 10, 1945 |
| Birthplace | Highgate, North London, England |
| Genres | Rock, Pop, Soul, R&B, Folk |
| Instruments | Vocals, Banjo |
| Years Active | 1961–present |
| Record Sales | Over 100 million worldwide |
| Major Awards | Grammy Award, Brit Award, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (twice), CBE |
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Rod Stewart was born on January 10, 1945, in Highgate, North London. He grew up with a love for football and even pursued it seriously, playing on school and amateur teams. However, music steadily pulled his attention.
Before fame, Stewart held various jobs—newspaper boy, silk screen printer, and even gravedigger. But by the early 1960s, he decided to chase a career in music.
He briefly considered joining what would become The Kinks. Instead, he performed with several local groups before landing a spot with the Jeff Beck Group in 1967 as lead vocalist. This marked his breakthrough in the UK music scene.
Success with Jeff Beck Group and Faces
Stewart gained attention for his raw, emotive singing. While with the Jeff Beck Group, he helped shape a blend of blues and hard rock that influenced future bands like Led Zeppelin.
In 1969, Stewart and guitarist Ron Wood joined Faces—an offshoot of the Small Faces. With the Faces, Stewart balanced a band role while launching his solo career. He released his debut solo album, An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down, that same year, followed by Gasoline Alley in 1970.
The Faces built a strong UK following, especially for their raucous live performances, while Stewart’s solo work began to find a wider audience.
Solo Stardom: “Maggie May” and Beyond
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In 1971, Stewart hit superstardom with Every Picture Tells a Story. The album’s standout track, “Maggie May,” became a surprise hit, topping both the UK and US charts. Its B-side, “Reason to Believe,” also gained popularity, effectively making it a double A-side single.
That same year, Faces scored a hit with “Stay With Me.” Despite the band’s success, Stewart’s solo fame began to eclipse the group. In 1975, Faces disbanded, and Stewart moved to Los Angeles.
American Hits and Lifestyle
In the U.S., Stewart released A Night on the Town (1976), featuring “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright),” a massive No. 1 hit. His sound evolved to a more pop-oriented style, and he gained attention for his high-profile relationships and flashy lifestyle.
Hits like “You’re in My Heart” and the disco-influenced “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” kept him at the top of the charts in the late 1970s. The latter became a No. 1 hit in the U.S., UK, and several other countries.
A Slump in the 1980s
The 1980s brought mixed results. While Tonight I’m Yours (1981) went platinum, albums like Body Wishes (1983), Camouflage (1984), and Every Beat of My Heart (1986) received poor critical reviews and underperformed in the U.S.
Still, he remained popular in Europe and continued to tour.
Comeback: Out of Order and Downtown Train
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In 1988, Stewart made a strong return with Out of Order, produced by Andy Taylor of Duran Duran. It included hits like “Forever Young” and “My Heart Can’t Tell You No.” The album went double platinum in the U.S.
A year later, his cover of Tom Waits’s “Downtown Train” became a Top 3 hit in the U.S. and charted highly in the UK. It also topped both the adult contemporary and rock charts.
MTV Unplugged and 1990s Success
In 1993, Stewart joined the MTV Unplugged series. The resulting live album, Unplugged…and Seated, included a new version of Van Morrison’s “Have I Told You Lately,” which soared to No. 5 on both U.S. and UK charts and topped the adult contemporary chart.
He also had success with his 1991 album Vagabond Heart, which included “Rhythm of My Heart” and “The Motown Song.”
Great American Songbook Era
Entering the 2000s, Stewart took a bold turn by recording classic American standards. He released five volumes of The Great American Songbook, beginning with It Had to Be You in 2002.
The albums were a commercial success. All five reached the Top 10 on the Billboard 200. Stardust (Volume 3) earned him his first Grammy in 2005 for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
This phase helped him attract a new generation of fans and cemented his versatility.
More Covers and Return to Songwriting
In 2006, Stewart released Still the Same… Great Rock Classics of Our Time, covering hits by Bob Dylan, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and others. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
After focusing on covers for a decade, Stewart returned to songwriting with his 2013 album Time. It featured original material and showed he still had creative energy. The album was well received and successful in both the UK and US.
Personal Life and Legacy
Rod Stewart is known for his distinctive raspy voice and ability to adapt to changing musical trends. Off-stage, he’s famous for his flamboyant fashion, multiple marriages, and devotion to football.
He has fathered eight children and has written a best-selling autobiography, Rod: The Autobiography, published in 2012.
In 2007, Queen Elizabeth II awarded him the CBE (Commander of the British Empire) for his services to music.
Honors and Accolades
Rod Stewart has received countless honors:
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Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: as a solo artist in 1994 and with Faces in 2012.
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Grammy Award winner
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Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music
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Included on Billboard and Rolling Stone’s “All-Time” lists
His impact on popular music spans generations, and he continues to tour and record to this day.