Rod Stewart: A guide to his legendary career through the years

From one hit to another, Rod Stewart can do no wrong!

Author: William MarriottPublished 4th Nov 2024

Best known for hits like ‘Maggie May’ and ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy’, the legend that is Sir Rod Stewart has been dominating the charts since the 1970s. He’s sold over 120 million records worldwide, which makes him one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time.

Showing no signs of slowing down, the rock star is currently on tour, having released a new album in 2024 featuring the swing classic 'Ain't Misbehavin'' with Jools Holland. We take a look back at Rod Stewart’s incredible career…

Who is Rod Stewart?

Rod Stewart is a British rock singer and songwriter, who has achieved 10 Number 1 albums in the UK, as well as six Number 1 singles. He was knighted in the 2016 Birthday Honours for his services to music and charity.

Where is Rod from?

Rod Stewart is from Highgate in London but splits his time between his homes in the US and the UK.

How old is he?

Rod Stewart was born on 10th January 1945. He is 79-years-old.

How did Rod Stewart become famous?

The Dimensions

Before he became famous for his solo music, Rod Stewart was a band member of The Dimensions, an R&B group. He joined the band in October 1963 as a harmonica player and vocalist, while also working in his brother's painting and picture frame shop.

The group collaborated with Jimmy Powell and toured London, performing weekly at Studio 51, a club on Great Newport Street in London where The Rolling Stones gained popularity from the public. Rod Stewart has credited Mick Jagger to improving his harmonica skills.

However, it wasn't meant to be, as after Rod Stewart was delegated to just a harmonica player, he left the band in 1965.

Jeff Beck Group

After playing solo events for two years, Rod joined the Jeff Beck Group as vocalist and songwriter in 1967. The group band members included Jeff Beck, Aynsley Dunbar, Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood. The group toured the UK, but Rod also released his own music at the same time, including 'Little Miss Understood.'

The group then toured the US in 1968 for six weeks, before releasing their debut album 'Truth', which rose to Number 15 on the US Albums Chart, but failed to make any headway in the UK. Their second album, 'Beck-Ola' followed in June 1969, peaking again at Number 15 in the US Albums Chart and placing at Number 39 in the UK Albums Chart.

In July 1969, Rod Stewart left the band, alongside Ronnie Wood, later admitting "unfriendliness" was partly a reason why he left.

Faces and solo career

In 1969, Rod Stewart joined the band Faces, releasing an album called 'The First Step' in 1970. During this time, Rod's solo career also started to blossom. He released his debut album 'Every Picture Tells a Story' in 1971, after signing to Mercury Records in October 1968. The album and debut single 'Maggie May' went straight to Number 1 in the UK and US at the same time - the first in history.

He then released the album 'Never a Dull Moment' in 1972, with it becoming a UK Number 1 album for two weeks and reaching Number 2 on the US Album Chart.

During his six years with the band, Faces released four studio albums, while Rod released five of his own. The band split in 1975 after Rod released his fifth album 'Smiler', which topped the charts in the UK.

Who is Rod Stewart married to?

Rod Stewart is married to model and Loose Women panellist Penny Lancaster. The pair first met in 1999 after Penny was the photographer on one of Rod Stewart's tours. The duo married in 2007 and have two children together.

Rod's marriage to Penny is his third, having been married to Alana Stewart in 1979 and Rachel Hunter in 1990.

Rod Stewart's children

Rod has eight children in total. His eldest child is his daughter Sarah Streeter, followed by Kimberly Alana Stewart and Sean Roderick Stewart who he had with his first wife Alana Stewart.

He also shares Ruby Stewart with Kelly Emberg, as well as Renee Cecili Stewart and Liam McAlister Stewart with Rachel Hunter.

Penny and Rod have two children, Alastair Wallace Stewart and Aiden Patrick Stewart.

In January 2023, Rod announced that he was going to become a grandfather again as his daughter Ruby was expecting a baby boy. He shared the news with fans when he posted a video from the gender reveal party, where he excitedly shouts: "It's a boy!".

Rod is already a grandfather to Delilah del Toro who was born in 2011 to Rod's daughter Kimberly.

In May 2023, Rod welcomed two grandchildren within a matter of days. He shared the lovely news on social media.

How many albums has Rod Stewart released?

Rod Stewart has released 32 studio albums. Yes, 32! His first-ever album was 'An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down' in 1969, followed by 'Gasoline Alley' in 1970.

Since then he has released a new album nearly every single year. In 2018, he released his album 'Blood Red Roses', and followed it up with 'The Tears of Hercules' which came out on 12th November 2021.

He has now released an album with Jools Holland called 'Swing Fever', which features their take on many classic swing songs.

What are his most successful songs?

'Maggie May'

'Maggie May' was Rod Stewart's first single released in 1971 from his album 'Every Picture Tells a Story'. The song debuted at Number 1 in the UK and spent five weeks at the top of the charts.

'You Wear It Well'

'You Wear It Well' was Rod Stewart's second Number 1 single, reaching the top spot in 1972, and spending one week in that spot.

'Sailing'

From the album 'Atlantic Crossing', Rod Stewart released 'Sailing' in 1975 despite being reluctant to do so. It stayed at the Number 1 spot for four weeks, and even re-entered the charts in 1976 and 1987.

'I Dont Want To Talk About It'

From his album 'Atlantic Crossing', Rod Stewart released 'I Dont Want To Talk About It' in 1977, a cover of the original by Crazy Horse. Similarly to 'Sailing', it spend four weeks at Number 1 in the UK. In New Zealand, the song peaked at Number 2 and was a top fifty hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.

'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy'

'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy' was released in 1978 from the album 'Blondes Have More Fun'. It stayed in the top spot in the UK for a week, for four weeks in the US, as well as topping the charts for two weeks in Australia. Royalties from the song were donated to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

'Baby Jane'

'Baby Jane' was an instant smash-hit, with the song peaking at Number 1 in seven countries, including the UK. Released in 1983 on the album 'Body Wishes', it is Rod's last single to sit at the top of the charts in the UK. Rod Stewart won?

Rod Stewart: Awards

Rod has won loads of awards throughout his career! The list includes a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 1993, he received the first ever Diamond Award from the World Music Awards for over 100 million records sold worldwide and a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2005 for Stardust ... The Great American Songbook Volume III.

Other accolades include a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, being appointed Knight Bachelor in the 2016 Birthday Honours, as well as receiving seven various Canadian Juno Award nominations.

Is Rod Stewart still performing?

100 percent. He never seems to stop! Rod's currently on a European tour and also has upcoming dates in North America and Vegas in 2025.

In 2023 he went on tour in the UK with Boy George & Culture Club, as well as across Australia with Cyndi Lauper.

As well as his tour, Rod performed at Royal Albert Hall on 22nd and 23rd May 2023, in honour of the late Jeff Beck, who tragically passed away in January 2023 aged 78. Rod performed along with other names such as Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons, Joss Stone and Johnny Depp.

On the show, Rod wrote: 'Jeff gave me one of the biggest breaks in my life. I owe him tremendously. See you at the Royal Albert Hall.' He later confirmed he would be singing some of the tracks featured on the Jeff Beck Groups first two albums, 'Truth' and 'Beckola'.

In 2020, Rod Stewart closed The BRITS, and he had another legendary gig in 2022 when he performed at Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee concert. In his performance, he sang 'Baby Jane' and 'Sweet Caroline'.

Watch Rod Stewart perform at The Platinum Party at the Palace:

Rod Stewart's website

In July 2022, Rod announced a brand new website, complete with a timeline of photos from his amazing life and career. The collection spans from his early years through to present day and captures some of his biggest moments and memories.

You can visit the Rod Stewart website here.

What is Rod Stewart’s net worth?

In January 2020, Rod Stewart's estimated net worth was $240 million, then in 2022, it was estimated to be $300 million, which is approximately £240 million.

In 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth, this is thought to still be around $300 million.

Rod's model trains

Rod has a passion for model trains, with an intricate model of a US city called Grant Street And Three Rivers City. He has spent 23 years building the 124ft long train set.