Rod Stewart (b. 1945)

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Biography

Sir Roderick David Stewart is a British singer and songwriter. Known for his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 120 million records worldwide. His music career began in 1962 when he took up busking with a harmonica. In 1963, he joined the Dimensions as a harmonica player and vocalist. In 1964, Stewart joined Long John Baldry and the All Stars before moving to the Jeff Beck Group in 1967. Joining Faces in 1969, he also launched a solo career, releasing his debut album, An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down, that year. Stewart's early albums were a fusion of rock, folk music, soul music, and R&B. His third album, 1971's Every Picture Tells a Story, was his breakthrough, topping the charts in the UK, US, Canada and Australia, as did its single "Maggie May". His 1972 follow-up album, Never a Dull Moment, also reached number one in the UK and Australia, while going top three in the US and Canada. Its single, "You Wear It Well", topped the chart in the UK and was a moderate hit elsewhere.

Timeline

The story of Rod Stewart, told in moments.

Legacy

Over 120 million records sold worldwide. Knighted in 2016. Five marriages, eight children. Spends his spare time building a massive model railway layout. It's 124 feet long and took 26 years.

What's the model railway about -- control, patience, or childhood? Does being knighted change how Stoke-on-Trent sees you? After 120 million records, what still surprises you about music?

1945 Birth

Born Roderick David Stewart in Highgate, London. His father was Scottish, his mother English. The family ran a newsagent's shop. He grew up wanting to be a professional footballer.

Was your father's Scottish identity important to how you saw yourself? Did you always want to be a footballer first? What was the family newsagent shop like?

1964 Life

Busked on the streets of London and Paris. Was briefly deported from Spain for vagrancy. Joined Long John Baldry's band, then the Jeff Beck Group. His raspy voice was distinctive from the start. Unmistakable.

Was getting deported from Spain for vagrancy the lowest point? What made your raspy voice distinctive rather than a flaw? Did busking teach you how to hold an audience?

1969 Event

Joined Faces as lead vocalist while simultaneously launching a solo career. The double act was unusual but it worked. Faces were raucous pub rockers. Solo Rod was a ballad singer.

How did you manage Faces and a solo career simultaneously? Were raucous pub rocker and ballad singer two sides of the same person? Which identity felt more authentic?

1971 Event

Every Picture Tells a Story went to number one in both the U.S. and UK simultaneously. "Maggie May" was the single. He was 26. By decade's end he'd sold over 60 million records.

What made 'Maggie May' resonate with everyone? Did going number one in both countries at once feel real? Were you the same person at twenty-six as you are now?

1978 Event

"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" hit number one worldwide. Critics hated it. Fans loved it. Stewart donated the royalties to UNICEF after being accused of plagiarizing a Brazilian song by Jorge Ben Jor.

Does donating the 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy' royalties settle the plagiarism question? Did critics hating the song while fans loved it bother you? Is pop art or commerce?