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) Highgate, 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
Labels	Mercury Warner Bros. J Universal Capitol
Signature

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

His music journey started in 1962 when he played the harmonica on the streets. In 1963, he joined a group called the Dimensions. Later, he joined the Jeff Beck Group in 1967. In 1969, he became the singer for the band Faces and also started his own solo career. His first solo album, An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let Down, came out that same year.

Rod Stewart's early albums mixed rock, folk, soul, and R&B music. His third album, Every Picture Tells a Story (1971), was a huge success. It reached number one in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. The song "Maggie May" from that album also became a number one hit. His next album, Never a Dull Moment (1972), also topped the charts in the UK and Australia.

Rod Stewart's Early Life

Roderick David Stewart was born in Highgate, North London, on 10 January 1945. He was the youngest of five children. His father was Scottish and a master builder, and his mother was English. The family moved to Highgate after having their first four children in Scotland.

Rod was born at home during the Second World War. He was much younger than his brothers and sisters, so he was a bit spoiled. He has described his childhood as "fantastically happy." He went to Highgate Primary School and later William Grimshaw Secondary Modern School. When his father retired, he bought a newsagent's shop, and the family lived above it. Rod's favorite hobby was model railways.

His family loved football, and his father played and managed local teams. Rod was the best footballer in his family. He became captain of his school team and played for Middlesex Schoolboys. He was a fan of Arsenal Football Club.

The family also loved the singer Al Jolson. Rod collected his records and was inspired by his performing style. He first heard rock and roll with Little Richard's song "The Girl Can't Help It" in 1956. His father gave him a guitar in 1959, and the first song he learned was "It Takes a Worried Man to Sing a Worried Song". In 1960, he joined a skiffle group called the Kool Kats.

Rod left school at 15 and worked briefly as a silk-screen printer. He wanted to be a professional footballer and tried out for Brentford Football Club in 1960. He later said that a musician's life seemed easier, and he could enjoy music and have fun, which he couldn't do while playing football.

Starting His Music Career (1961–1967)

Rod Stewart worked in his family's shop and as a newspaper delivery boy. He also worked briefly at Highgate Cemetery. In 1961, he had a singing audition with record producer Joe Meek, but it didn't go well. Rod started listening to folk artists like Bob Dylan.

He became interested in the beatnik lifestyle. In 1962, he started busking (playing music in public for money) in London with folk singer Wizz Jones. They traveled to Brighton, Paris, and Barcelona, where Rod was sent back to the UK for not having a job. Around this time, Rod was briefly considered as a singer for The Kinks.

In 1963, Rod adopted the "Mod" style, which included his spiky hairstyle. He became fascinated by rhythm and blues and soul music after seeing Otis Redding perform.

In October 1963, Rod joined a rhythm and blues group called the Dimensions as a harmonica player and singer. This was his first professional music job. He later joined Jimmy Powell & the Five Dimensions. Rod's harmonica playing got better by watching Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones.

In January 1964, Rod met Long John Baldry and joined his group, the All Stars. He started earning £35 a week. Rod became known as "Rod the Mod" because of his stylish way of dressing. He signed a solo record deal in August 1964. His first single, "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl", was released in October 1964 but didn't become a hit.

Rod then joined a group called Steampacket in July 1965. They toured with the Rolling Stones. Rod's "Rod the Mod" image became more famous in November 1965 when he was featured in a TV documentary. However, his solo songs during this time didn't do well.

In March 1966, Rod left Steampacket and joined Shotgun Express. This group also didn't have much success. Rod felt he was mostly singing other people's music and wanted to write his own.

Joining the Jeff Beck Group (1967–1969)

In February 1967, guitarist Jeff Beck asked Rod to join his new band, the Jeff Beck Group. This was a big step for Rod's career. Here, he first played with Ronnie Wood, who became a close friend.

The group toured the UK and released some songs. In June 1968, they toured the United States. Rod was very nervous at first, but the tour was a big success. Their first album, Truth, came out in August 1968 and did well in the US. Rod also helped write three songs on the album.

The group's second album, Beck-Ola, was released in June 1969. Rod left the group in July 1969 after Ronnie Wood also left. Rod felt it was a great band to sing with, but he didn't like the arguments within the group.

Solo Success and Faces (1969–1975)

In October 1968, Rod signed a solo contract with Mercury Records. In May 1969, Steve Marriott left the band the Small Faces. Ronnie Wood joined as guitarist, and Rod became the new singer in October 1969. The band became known as Faces.

Rod's first solo album, An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down, came out in 1969. It showed his mix of folk, rock, and blues. The Faces released their first album, First Step, in early 1970. Rod released his second solo album, Gasoline Alley, that autumn.

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

Rod's 1971 solo album, Every Picture Tells a Story, made him a huge star. The song "Maggie May" became a massive hit, reaching number one in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia at the same time as the album. This was a first for the music charts. The album also featured songs like "Mandolin Wind" and "Tomorrow Is a Long Time".

The Faces released Long Player in 1971 and A Nod Is as Good as a Wink...To a Blind Horse later that year. The Faces were known for their energetic live shows.

In 1972, Rod released Never a Dull Moment, which also did very well. The song "You Wear It Well" was a number one hit in the UK.

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

The Faces released their last album, Ooh La La, in 1973. There were growing tensions in the band because Rod's solo career was becoming more successful. The Faces toured a lot in 1974. In 1975, the Faces broke up, partly because Ronnie Wood joined the Rolling Stones and Rod's solo career was taking off.

Becoming a Global Star (1975–1988)

In 1975, Rod Stewart moved to Los Angeles. He released the album Atlantic Crossing, which brought him back to the top of the charts. The song "Sailing" became a number one hit in the UK and other European countries. It is still Rod's biggest-selling single in the UK.

On stage in Dublin, 1981

In 1976, Rod's song "Tonight's the Night" was number one in the US for eight weeks. It was from the album A Night on the Town. Another hit from that album was "The First Cut Is the Deepest".

Foot Loose & Fancy Free (1977) continued his success. The hit song "You're in My Heart" was very popular. Rod's look also changed to include a glam rock style with makeup and bright clothes.

In 1978, his album Blondes Have More Fun and the song "Da Ya Think I'm ...?" both reached number one in many countries. "Da Ya Think I'm ...?" was a disco hit. Rod later gave his earnings from this song to UNICEF.

In the early 1980s, Rod's music changed to a new wave and soft rock style. His album Tonight I'm Yours (1981) featured songs like "Young Turks". In 1981, many of Rod's music videos were played on the new MTV channel.

Stewart performing in Paris, 1986

Between 1982 and 1988, Rod had several more top 10 hits in the US, including "Some Guys Have All the Luck" and "Infatuation". His song "Baby Jane" reached number one in the UK in 1983. In 1985, Rod performed for a huge audience at the Rock in Rio festival in Brazil.

Later Career and Awards (1988–Present)

In 1988, Rod released Out of Order, which had several popular songs like "Forever Young". He toured South America in 1989, playing to massive crowds.

His version of the song "Downtown Train" was a big hit in 1990. In 1991, the album Vagabond Heart was released, featuring the hit "Rhythm of My Heart".

In 1993, Rod received an award for Outstanding Contribution to Music at the Brit Awards. He also recorded "All For Love" with Sting and Bryan Adams for a movie soundtrack, which became a number one hit. He reunited with Ronnie Wood for an MTV Unplugged special, which led to the successful album Unplugged...and Seated.

Rod Stewart was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 as a solo artist. On 31 December 1994, he performed for 3.5 million people on Copacabana beach in Rio, setting a record for the largest free rock concert.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Rod continued to release albums. In 2002, he started a very successful series of albums where he sang classic pop songs from the Great American Songbook. These albums, like It Had to Be You: the Great American Songbook (2002) and Stardust: the Great American Songbook 3 (2004), sold millions of copies. Stardust was his first US number one album in 25 years, and he won his first Grammy Award for it.

In 2006, Rod returned to rock music with Still the Same... Great Rock Classics of Our Time, which also debuted at number one. In November 2006, he was added to the UK Music Hall of Fame.

Performing in Zaragoza, Spain, November 2006

Rod performed at the Concert for Diana in 2007 and released a soul music covers album, Soulbook, in 2009. In 2011, he toured with Stevie Nicks. He also began a long-term series of shows in Las Vegas.

In 2012, Rod released his first Christmas album, Merry Christmas, Baby, which was a worldwide best-seller. His autobiography, Rod: The Autobiography, was also released that year.

Performing in Hamburg in September 2013

In May 2013, Rod released Time, an album of his own new songs. It became a number one album in the UK, setting a record for the longest time between number one albums for an artist. 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 music. This album also reached number one in the UK, making it his tenth UK chart-topping album. His 31st studio album, The Tears of Hercules, came out in November 2021.

In June 2022, Rod performed at the Platinum Party at the Palace for Queen Elizabeth II. In 2023, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him among the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. In late 2023, he announced a new album, Swing Fever, with Jools Holland, which was released in February 2024. In November 2024, it was confirmed that Rod Stewart would play the Glastonbury Legends slot in 2025.

Rod Stewart's Personal Life

In May 2000, Rod Stewart had surgery for thyroid cancer. This surgery affected his voice, and he had to learn how to sing again. He has since helped raise money for charities that find cures for cancer. In September 2019, he shared that he had been treated for prostate cancer in 2017 and was given the all-clear.

Rod is a big football fan. He supports Celtic and the Scotland national team. He also follows Manchester United in England. He has even presented a trophy to Celtic after they won a cup final.

He is also a very keen model railway enthusiast. He has a huge HO scale model railway layout in his Los Angeles home, which has been featured in Model Railroader magazine several times. He also has a smaller layout at his UK home. Rod has mentioned that he is colour-blind.

Rod Stewart is a car collector. In 1982, his Porsche was stolen while he was parking it in Los Angeles, but it was later found. In March 2022, he helped fill in some potholes near his home in Essex, saying that the road was bad for cars and ambulances.

Rod Stewart has eight children with five different mothers. He married Penny Lancaster in 2007.

Rod Stewart has received many awards for his music. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2007 for his services to music. In 2016, he was made a knight 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.
• On 11 October 2005, Stewart received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• 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).
• Inducted into the Ultimate Classic Rock Hall of Fame, 2013.
• Goldene Europa 1991 Best International Singer.
• American Music Awards 1994 International Artist Award.
• Ivor Novello Awards 1999 Lifetime Achievement Award.
• American Music Awards 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Outstanding Achievement in Music award at 2022 Scottish Music Awards.

Bands Rod Stewart Has Been In

During his career, Rod Stewart has been a member of several groups, including:

• 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 various performances since)

Rod Stewart's Albums

Tours and Shows

Residency show

• Rod Stewart: The Hits (2011–2024)

Images for kids

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  Grave of Stewart's parents in Highgate Cemetery

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  Concert ticket, 1993

See also

In Spanish: Rod Stewart para niños