English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer Sir Roderick David Stewart was born 80 years ago in Highgate, London, is married and has 8 children.
Coming from a family of football enthusiasts, Rod became the school’s football team captain and as a teen was ambitious about becoming a professional footballer. His family also loved music and Rod used to listen to hits by Al Jolson, Little Richard and Eddie Cochran. When he was 15, he even joined a folk group named the ‘Kool Kats’.
After leaving school, Rod worked as a delivery boy in his father’s newspaper shop and afterwards worked in several different jobs. He then began to do street performances by playing the harmonica together with another folk singer, not just in the UK but also in other European countries. Rod also changed his look and got this spiky hairstyle which he is well renowned for to this day.
During the 60s, Rod performed with several bands, the last one being ‘The Jeff Beck Group’, which he left in late 1969 to embark on a solo career. Whilst releasing his first solo album, Rod still joined a group called ‘Faces’. He went on to release a second album and toured the US with the band.
In 1971, Rod’s third album came out and featured the UK & US number one hit ‘Maggie May’ which rendered him an international star. He continued as ‘Faces’ lead singer until the band split in 1975.
On a personal note, Stewart is a car collector as well as a model railway enthusiast and in 2012, he published his autobiography. Also, about 20 authors, magazine editors and music journalists have published material about this famous singer. Over the years, Rod has supported several charitable institutions, particularly those concerning cancer.
During his +60-year career, Rod had 72 albums, 147 singles and 68 music videos. Nicknamed ‘Rod the Mod’ and with his unique ‘scratchy’ voice, Stewart is considered as one of the best-selling artists ever, with more than 250 million records sold globally. He had 10 albums and 6 singles which reached number one in his native UK and 4 US number one hits.
Some of his most popular songs include ‘Maggie May’, ‘Sailing’, ‘Baby Jane’, ‘Do ya think I’am Sexy?’, ‘Some guys have all the Luck’, ‘Every beat of my Heart’, ‘Young Turks’, ‘Love Touch’ and ‘All for Love’ sung with Bryan Adams and Sting.
Stewart is also the recipient of various awards and honours including a Grammy, a Brit and an Ivor Novello Lifetime Achievement award. He was inducted in the UK as well as the Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, received the order of chivalry medal and was appointed a Knight Bachelor.
*Image: no infringement intended. Source: wmmr.com