Rod Stewart facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Rod Stewart CBE
Stewart in 2014
Born	Roderick David Stewart (1945-01-10) 10 January 1945 (age 80) London, England
Other names	Rod the Mod
Occupation	Singer songwriter record producer musician
Years active	1961–present
Spouse(s)	Alana Collins ​ ​ (m. 1979; div. 1984)​ Rachel Hunter ​ ​ (m. 1990; div. 2006)​ Penny Lancaster ​ (m. 2007)​
Partner(s)	Susannah Boffey (1963–1964) Jennie Rylance (1965–1967) Dee Harrington (1971–1975) Britt Ekland (1975–1977) Kelly Emberg (1983–1990)
Children	8; including Kimberly, Sean and Ruby
Musical career
Genres	Rock pop blue-eyed soul blues rock folk rock soft rock disco traditional pop (2000s and 2023–present)
Labels	Mercury Warner Bros. J Universal Capitol

Sir Roderick David Stewart (born 10 January 1945) is a famous British rock and pop singer. He is known for his unique, raspy singing voice. Rod Stewart is one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 120 million records.

His music journey started in 1962 when he played harmonica on the streets. He joined several bands like the Dimensions and the Jeff Beck Group. In 1969, he became the singer for the band Faces and also started his solo career. His early music mixed rock, folk, and soul. In 1971, his album Every Picture Tells a Story and the song "Maggie May" became huge hits around the world.

Rod Stewart has had many hit songs and albums throughout his career. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once as a solo artist and once as a member of Faces. He was also knighted in 2016 for his contributions to music and charity.

Rod Stewart's Early Life

Roderick David Stewart was born in London, England, on January 10, 1945. He was the youngest of five children. His father was Scottish and a builder, and his mother was English. The family lived in Highgate, North London.

Rod had a happy childhood. He loved playing football and was very good at it, even becoming captain of his school team. He also enjoyed railway modelling, building detailed model train sets.

His family loved music, especially the singer Al Jolson. Rod was also inspired by early rock and roll artists like Little Richard and Bill Haley. He got his first guitar in 1959 and soon joined a small band with friends called the Kool Kats.

After leaving school at 15, Rod tried different jobs, like silk screen printing and working in a funeral home. He even had a tryout for a professional football team, Brentford F.C.. But he soon realized that music was his true calling. He once said, "Well, a musician's life is a lot easier. I plumped for music... They're the only two things I can do actually: play football and sing."

Grave of Rod Stewart's parents in Highgate Cemetery

Becoming a Music Star

First Steps in Music

In 1961, Rod started playing harmonica and singing on the streets of London. He was inspired by folk artists like Bob Dylan. He also became interested in rhythm and blues and soul music after hearing Otis Redding and Sam Cooke.

In 1963, Rod joined a rhythm and blues group called the Dimensions. This was his first professional music job. He later joined Jimmy Powell & the Five Dimensions as a harmonica player.

Joining Steampacket and "Rod the Mod"

In 1964, Rod met Long John Baldry and joined his band, the All Stars. This was a big step for him. He started to be known as "Rod the Mod" because of his stylish look. The band played regularly at the famous Marquee Club in London.

Rod also started a solo career at this time. He released his first single, "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl", in 1964, but it didn't become a hit. In 1965, he joined a group called Steampacket, which toured with famous bands like The Rolling Stones.

The Jeff Beck Group

In 1967, Rod joined the The Jeff Beck Group as a singer. This was a major turning point for him. Here, he met Ronnie Wood, who would become a lifelong friend. The band toured the United States and released their first album, Truth, in 1968. This album helped Rod develop his unique singing style.

Solo Success and Faces

Starting a Solo Career

In 1969, Rod signed a solo record deal. That same year, he joined a new band called Faces with Ronnie Wood and other musicians. Faces quickly became known for their exciting live shows.

Rod released his first solo album, An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let Down, in 1969. It mixed folk, rock, and blues. His second album, Gasoline Alley, came out in 1970.

Stewart in a trade advert for his 1971 album Every Picture Tells A Story

Breakthrough with "Maggie May"

Rod's 1971 solo album, Every Picture Tells a Story, made him a global superstar. The song "Maggie May" became a massive hit, reaching number one in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. This was a first for an album and single to be number one at the same time in so many countries. The album also featured other popular songs like "Mandolin Wind".

Faces also had success with albums like Long Player (1971) and A Nod Is as Good as a Wink...To a Blind Horse (1971), which included their hit "Stay With Me".

In 1972, Rod released Never a Dull Moment, which also topped the charts in the UK. The song "You Wear It Well" was another big hit.

Faces Break Up

The Faces released their last album, Ooh La La, in 1973. By this time, Rod's solo career was much bigger than the band's. The Faces toured for a few more years, but with Ronnie Wood also joining The Rolling Stones, it became hard to keep the band together. Faces officially broke up in 1975.

Stewart (right) whilst in Faces, with Ronnie Wood (left)

Global Stardom

Moving to Los Angeles

In 1975, Rod moved to Los Angeles. He released the album Atlantic Crossing, which included the huge UK hit "Sailing". This song became one of his biggest sellers in the UK.

In 1976, his song "Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)" was number one in the US for eight weeks. It came from the album A Night on the Town. Other hits from this time included "The First Cut Is the Deepest" and "You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)".

On stage in Dublin, 1981

New Sounds and Hits

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Rod experimented with new music styles like disco and new wave. His album Foolish Behaviour (1980) had the hit song "Passion". In 1981, his video for "Young Turks" was played a lot on the new MTV channel.

Throughout the 1980s, Rod continued to have hit songs like "Some Guys Have All the Luck" and "Infatuation". In 1983, "Baby Jane" became his last number one single in the UK.

Stewart performing in Paris, 1986

Vagabond Heart and Collaborations

In 1988, Rod released Out of Order, which featured hits like "Forever Young". In 1990, his cover of Tom Waits' "Downtown Train" was a big hit.

His 1991 album, Vagabond Heart, included the popular songs "Rhythm of My Heart" and "The Motown Song". In 1993, he teamed up with Bryan Adams and Sting for the song "All for Love", which was number one in many countries.

Concert ticket, 1993

Rod also performed an acoustic show for MTV Unplugged in 1993, which led to the successful album Unplugged...and Seated. His version of Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately" became a huge hit.

In 1994, Rod Stewart was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On New Year's Eve 1994, he performed for 3.5 million people on Copacabana beach in Rio, setting a world record for the largest free rock concert.

Later Career and Achievements

The Great American Songbook

In the early 2000s, Rod Stewart started a new and very successful project. He released a series of albums called The Great American Songbook, where he sang classic pop songs from the 1930s and 1940s. These albums were incredibly popular and brought him new fans.

The first album, It Had to Be You: the Great American Songbook (2002), was a big hit. The second, As Time Goes By: the Great American Songbook 2 (2003), was also very successful. In 2004, Stardust: the Great American Songbook 3 became his first US number one album in 25 years. He even won his first Grammy Award for this album.

Performing in Zaragoza, Spain, November 2006

He continued the series with Thanks for the Memory: The Great American Songbook 4 in 2005. In 2006, he returned to rock music with Still the Same... Great Rock Classics of Our Time, which also debuted at number one.

Recent Years

In 2009, Rod released Soulbook, an album of soul and Motown covers. In 2012, he released his first Christmas album, Merry Christmas, Baby, which was a worldwide best-seller. That same year, his autobiography, Rod: The Autobiography, was released.

In 2013, Rod returned to writing his own songs with the album Time, which topped the UK charts. He released Another Country in 2015 and Blood Red Roses in 2018.

In 2019, he released You're in My Heart: Rod Stewart with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which featured his classic songs with new orchestral arrangements. This album became his tenth number one album in the UK. His 31st studio album, The Tears of Hercules, came out in 2021.

In 2023, Rod performed at the Jeff Beck tribute concerts. He also announced a new album, Swing Fever, with Jools Holland, set for release in 2024. In 2025, he is set to play the famous Glastonbury Legends slot.

Rod Stewart's Personal Life

Rod Stewart has faced some health challenges. In 2000, he had surgery for thyroid cancer. He had to re-learn how to sing, but he recovered well. He now helps raise money for cancer research, especially for children. In 2019, he shared that he had successfully been treated for prostate cancer.

Rod is a big football fan. Even though his father supported Hibernian, Rod is a passionate supporter of Celtic F.C. in Scotland. He also follows Manchester United F.C. in England.

He is also a dedicated model railway enthusiast. He has a huge model train layout in his Los Angeles home, which is 23 feet by 124 feet! It's modeled after American railroads from the 1940s. He even has a smaller one at his UK home. Rod has said that being featured in a model railroad magazine meant more to him than being in a music magazine.

Rod Stewart has eight children with five different mothers. He married Alana Collins in 1979, Rachel Hunter in 1990, and Penny Lancaster in 2007.

In 2007, Rod was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to music. In 2016, he was knighted, becoming Sir Rod Stewart, for his contributions to music and charity.

Awards and Recognition

Stewart's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

• Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, 1993.
• Received a Legend Award from the World Music Awards, 1993.
• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1994 (as a solo artist).
• Received the first ever Diamond Award from the World Music Awards for selling over 100 million records worldwide, 2001.
• Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, 2005, for Stardust ... The Great American Songbook Volume III.
• Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his music, 2005.
• Inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame, 2006.
• Awarded CBE in the 2007 New Year Honours.
• Appointed Knight Bachelor in the 2016 Birthday Honours.
• Received the ASCAP Founders Award in 2011.
• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 2012 (as a member of Faces).
• Goldene Europa 1991 Best International Singer.
• Ivor Novello Awards 1999 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rod Stewart's Bands

Throughout his career, Rod Stewart has been a member of several music groups:

• Jimmy Powell and the Five Dimensions (1963)
• Steampacket (1965–1966)
• Soul Agents (1965–1966)
• Shotgun Express (1966–1967)
• The Jeff Beck Group (1967–1969)
• Faces (1969–1975, and reunited for special performances in later years)

Music Albums

Studio Albums

Tours

Residency show

• Rod Stewart: The Hits (2011–2024)

Images for kids

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  Performing in Hamburg in September 2013

See also

In Spanish: Rod Stewart para niños

• Crooner
• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
• List of Billboard number-one dance club songs
• Lists of Billboard number-one singles