At 79, Rod Stewart FINALLY Admits What We All Suspected

Rod Stewart, with his unmistakable raspy voice and timeless hits like Maggie May and Sailing, is a living legend, ranked among the top 50 bestselling artists by Business Insider (2023). His 1994 free concert in Brazil drew 3.5 million fans, a record few can rival, per Billboard (1995). Yet, behind the glamour lie personal sacrifices, health battles, and turbulent romances. This 800-word article, drawing from Stewart’s autobiography (Rod, 2012) and Rolling Stone (2020), traces his journey from a football-loving London boy to a music icon, revealing the triumphs and trials that shaped his enduring legacy.

A Childhood of Joy and Ambition

Born Roderick David Stewart on January 10, 1945, in North London, Rod was the youngest of five children to Scottish builder Robert Stewart and Englishwoman Elsie Gilbart. Raised above his father’s newsagent shop during World War II, Rod enjoyed a “wonderfully happy” childhood despite modest means, per Rod (2012). At Highgate Primary and William Grimshaw Secondary, he showed little academic promise but excelled in football, captaining the Middlesex schoolboys’ team and trialing for Brentford FC, per The Guardian (2000). Music, however, tugged at his heart. His family’s love for Al Jolson and early rock ‘n’ roll from Little Richard and Bill Haley inspired him. At 15, Rod picked up a guitar, joining skiffle group The Cool Cats, per Mojo (1995).

When Brentford passed on him in 1960, Rod chose music over football, drawn to its freer lifestyle, per The Telegraph (2010). His early years blended odd jobs—newspaper delivery, laboring at Highgate Cemetery—with musical exploration, setting the stage for a transformative career.

Rod Stewart, 79, says he's aware his 'days are numbered'

From Busking to Band Beginnings

Stewart’s musical journey began in 1961, auditioning unsuccessfully for producer Joe Meek. Embracing folk music by Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, he adopted a beatnik lifestyle, busking across Europe with Wizz Jones until deported from Spain for vagrancy in 1963, per Classic Rock (2005). Immersed in London’s R&B scene, he joined The Dimensions as a harmonica player in 1963, honing his skills, per Billboard (1980). A pivotal moment came in 1964 when Long John Baldry discovered him at Twickenham Station, inviting him to join his band for £35 a week, per NME (1990). Nicknamed “Rod the Mod” for his spiky hairstyle, Stewart’s stage presence grew.

Signing with Decca Records in 1964, Stewart insisted on authentic blues covers like Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, though it flopped, per Melody Maker (1965). After co-founding Steampacket and joining Shotgun Express, he faced contractual hurdles and creative frustrations, pushing him toward songwriting and a distinctive rock-folk-blues blend, per Q Magazine (2000).

Solo Stardom and Global Fame

In 1967, Stewart joined the Jeff Beck Group with Ronnie Wood, shaping his raspy, soulful style on albums Truth and Beck-Ola. Leaving in 1969, he signed with Mercury Records, releasing An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down (1970), per Rolling Stone (1970). Joining Faces, his 1971 hit Maggie May from Every Picture Tells a Story catapulted him to fame, though it strained band dynamics, leading to Faces’ 1975 split, per Variety (1975).

Relocating to Los Angeles, Stewart’s Atlantic Crossing (1975) and its anthem Sailing marked a global breakthrough, per Billboard (1976). His 1978 disco hit Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? topped charts despite backlash, proving his versatility, per NME (1979). The 1980s saw experiments with new wave and synth-pop in Foolish Behaviour (1980) and Tonight I’m Yours (1981), while Out of Order (1988) and Forever Young reaffirmed his prowess, per People (1988). His 1994 Copacabana Beach concert drew 3.5 million, and his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction cemented his legacy, per Billboard (1994).

Rod Stewart Says He Knows His 'Days Are Numbered' at Age 79, But He Still Drinks After 'Every Show'

Reinvention and Resilience

In the 2000s, Stewart reinterpreted the Great American Songbook with albums like It Had to Be You (2002), captivating new audiences, per The Independent (2003). His 2009 Soulbook revived Motown classics, while Time (2013), inspired by his autobiography, debuted at UK number one, per The Times (2013). Collaborations with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in You’re in My Heart (2019) blended classical and rock, per Variety (2020). In 2022, he declined a Qatar performance over human rights concerns, showcasing his principles, per BBC (2022). His 2024 album Swing Fever with Jools Holland explores swing and jazz, per Rolling Stone (2024).

Personal Triumphs and Trials

Stewart’s personal life mirrors his career’s highs and lows. His 1979 marriage to Alana Hamilton produced two children but ended in 1984. His 1990 marriage to Rachel Hunter, with whom he had two children, collapsed in 2006, a “significant shock,” per People (2006). Since 2007, he’s found stability with Penny Lancaster, raising two sons, per Hello! (2010). His son Sean’s legal troubles, including a Miami airport incident, tested their bond, yet they remain close, per Daily Mail (2015).

Health battles define Stewart’s resilience. In 2000, thyroid cancer threatened his voice, requiring surgery and vocal therapy, per The Guardian (2001). In 2019, he privately fought prostate cancer for three years, announcing his recovery, per Rolling Stone (2019). Football injuries led to ankle and knee surgeries, yet he plans a 40-show 2024 tour, per Billboard (2024).

A Lasting Legacy

At 79, Stewart balances music, family, and health. His third grandchild’s birth underscores family’s importance, per The Telegraph (2023). From Maggie May to Sailing, his genre-spanning career inspires millions. His cancer advocacy with City of Hope and human rights stance reflect a principled icon. As he explores swing with Swing Fever, Stewart’s legacy of resilience, reinvention, and passion endures, a beacon for generations, per Variety (2024).