These upbeat songs have surprisingly dark meanings
Looking modish in the Swinging Sixties as a member of The Dimensions. Stewart played harmonica in the band and occasionally sang.
Performing live onstage with Long John Baldry at the 4th National Jazz and Blues Festival in Richmond, near London, in 1964. Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones were among the other acts on the bill.
In 1967, Rod Stewart joined the Jeff Beck Group as vocalist. The band's innovative approach to heavy-sounding blues, rhythm and blues, and rock was a major influence on popular music (Beck was and still is one of the greatest guitarists in the world). Pictured left to right: Ronnie Wood, Jeff Beck, Mickey Waller, and Rod Stewart, replete with goatee.
The Faces put their best feet forward in this 1969 publicity photo. Stewart joined the band that year. Left to right: Kenney Jones, Ronnie Wood, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Lane, and Ian McLagan. Wood had left the Jeff Beck Group the same time as Stewart.
By 1969 Rod Stewart was beginning to cultivate his distinctive lion's mane haircut, a look he's nurtured (in various highlights) ever since.
In full voice with the Faces during a 1971 performance on the British television music show 'Top of the Pops.'
By the early 1970s, Rod Stewart could afford to travel to work in style. Here he is after parking his brand new Lamborghini Miura.
The singer poses for a portrait in May 1972 during a session for his solo album 'Never a Dull Moment.' Stewart juggled his vocal duties as a member of the Faces with that of a burgeoning solo career.
In fact, Stewart is a soccer fanatic. A talented player in his teens, he has nurtured a love for the game ever since. He's seen here in 1975 playing for The Gold Diggers, a team made up of celebrities from the worlds of sport and television. Their opponents are Radio Merseyside. The final score was 3-3.
Rod Stewart is known for his many liaisons with mostly blonde, leggy women. He has eight children by five mothers. His affair with Britt Ekland (pictured) lasted from 1975 to 1977 and provided newspapers and magazines with plenty of gossip material.
Stewart dresses down for a concert in Munich, Germany, in 1978. The singer matured throughout the 1970s and often dropped his flamboyant stage attire for something more sober, and denim was just the job.
Having just woken up and still dressed in his pajamas, the rock star peers inside a teapot after room service is delivered to his room at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington in 1975.
Pulling faces with Paul and Linda McCartney backstage at London's Lewisham Theatre in 1974.
Stewart promotes his latest album 'Atlantic Crossing' dressed in a sailor suit onboard a boat in New York Harbor. Released in August 1975, the album contained two of Stewart's most popular songs, 'Sailing' and 'I Don't Want to Talk About It.'
The singer clowns around backstage prior to a 1981 concert at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. Stewart was touring the United States promoting his 'Tonight I'm Yours' album.
Stewart's musical output between 1975 and 1988 saw him reach the height of his fame. But, as you can see, he still found time between recording and busy tour schedules to take the occasional dip in a swimming pool.
Stewart and current wife Penny Lancaster (they married in 2007) arrive at Cinema Against AIDS 2004, the 11th annual event in aid of amfAR (American Foundation for AIDS Research) at Le Moulin de Mougins during the 57th Cannes Film Festival in France. Stewart's father was Scottish and the singer maintains a genuine affection for all things north of the border, including tartan kilts.
Stewart adopts the old school tie look for a portrait at Langham Hotel in London in 2006 to promote the album 'Still the same...Great Rock Classics of our Time.'
Sir Rod Stewart's 30th studio album 'Blood Red Roses' hit the top spot in the United Kingdom in 2018, 47 years after his first no. 1 album, 'Every Picture Tells a Story,' achieved the same success. The singer is pictured looking radiant at a signing event in London.
A 1980 after show party at the Hilton Hotel in Rotterdam, Netherlands was apparently gatecrashed by an unexpected guest.
Elton John, Liza Minnelli, Alana Stewart (Stewart's first wife) and the singer pictured at the White Elephant Club to celebrate Liza Minnelli's opening night show in London, this in 1983.
Rod Stewart with band members and their instruments at the front entrance of his North Carolwood Drive, Beverly Hills, California mansion in 1985. The classic lineup, left to right: Jim Zavala, Danny Johnson, Carmine Appice, Stewart himself, Robin Le Mesurier, Jim Cregan, and Jay Davis.
In fine voice and looking his very best, Stewart performs on stage at the Acer Arena (now known as Qudos Bank Arena) in Sydney in 2008. This was during the singer's hugely successful 'The Great American Songbook' series of musical projects.
Taking time out from performing, the singer celebrates his Scottish parentage by heading off to watch the England vs. Scotland soccer game on May 18, 1974. A stretch limo is the only way to travel.
Stewart meets his hero, Brazilian soccer legend Pelé, in Rio in 1975.
Still at the top of his game, the veteran singer celebrates his 100th performance at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on February 6, 2015 in Las Vegas.
Stewart offers a rather moody-looking David Bowie a bottle of Blue Nun wine during a backstage get-together at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1974.
In 2016, Rod Stewart received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his services to music and charity.
Sir Rod Stewart performs during the 2020 Carousel of Hope Ball in Los Angeles benefiting the Children’s Diabetes Foundation. Stewart actively helps raise funds for the City of Hope Foundation.
Sources: (Louder Sound) (Ultimate Classic Rock)
See also: Rare vintage photos of artists backstage
Rod Stewart is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. In a nearly 60-year career, the British rock and pop singer, songwriter, and record producer has sold over 250 million records worldwide. Known for his distinctive raspy singing voice, lion's mane hair, and penchant for leggy blondes, Stewart has reinvented himself as a performer and showman on numerous occasions, successfully adapting to the public's fickle tastes in music and fashion to mature as one of the industry's elder statesmen.
Click through the following gallery and take a look at the many faces of Rod Stewart.
Stewart tunes his guitar during rehearsals for the British television show 'Ready Steady Go!' in 1964. By now he was a member of Long John Baldry and the All-Stars.
Guitarist Ronnie Wood and singer Rod Stewart of the Faces performing at the Rainbow Theatre in London in 1972. Wood and Stewart were the dominant members of the band and by the mid-1970s Stewart's parallel solo career became more successful than that of the group. Wood, meanwhile, had started working with the Rolling Stones. In December 1975, the Faces split up.
The many faces of Rod Stewart
Sir Rod Stewart turns 78 this January 10
MUSIC Singer
Rod Stewart is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. In a nearly 60-year career, the British rock and pop singer, songwriter, and record producer has sold over 250 million records worldwide. Known for his distinctive raspy singing voice, lion's mane hair, and penchant for tall blondes, Stewart has reinvented himself as a performer and showman on numerous occasions, successfully adapting to the public's fickle tastes in music and fashion to mature as one of the industry's elder statesmen.
Click through the following gallery and take a look at the many faces of Rod Stewart.