A Look Back at Rod Stewart's Life and Career in Photos as the Rock Legend Turns 80

Mar. 15, 2025

Rod Stewart in 1971.Photo: Victor Blackman/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty

Rod Stewarthas been rocking out for decades.After receiving his first guitar in 1959, the Grammy winner — who turns 80 on Jan. 10, 2025 — set out on a path to rock superstardom, joining various groups as well as achieving a remarkable solo career.Now, as he enters another decade of life, here’s a look back at some of his biggest moments as a musician,a dad— and even a knight!

Rod Stewarthas been rocking out for decades.

After receiving his first guitar in 1959, the Grammy winner — who turns 80 on Jan. 10, 2025 — set out on a path to rock superstardom, joining various groups as well as achieving a remarkable solo career.

Now, as he enters another decade of life, here’s a look back at some of his biggest moments as a musician,a dad— and even a knight!

01of 22Rod Stewart’s Early DaysRod Stewart as a child.AlamyRod Stewart (seen here in 1964) was born on Jan. 10, 1945 in London.

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Rod Stewart’s Early Days

Rod Stewart as a child.Alamy

Alamy

Rod Stewart (seen here in 1964) was born on Jan. 10, 1945 in London.

02of 22Rod Stewart and His GuitarRod Stewart in 1964.CA/RedfernsAccording to therocker’s official website, he received his first guitar in 1959 from his father Robert Stewart.Before diving into his music career, Stewart (seen here in 1964) actually went to trials for the Brentford Football Club though they never called him up, his website explains.

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Rod Stewart and His Guitar

Rod Stewart in 1964.CA/Redferns

CA/Redferns

According to therocker’s official website, he received his first guitar in 1959 from his father Robert Stewart.

Before diving into his music career, Stewart (seen here in 1964) actually went to trials for the Brentford Football Club though they never called him up, his website explains.

03of 22Rod Stewart Joins BandsRonnie Wood, Jeff Beck, Mickey Waller and Rod Stewart of The Jeff Black Group.Ivan Keeman/RedfernsEarly in his career, Stewart was a part of several groups including The Dimensions, The Hoochie Coochie Men, Steampacket, The Shotgun Express and later, The Jeff Beck Group (pictured here in 1967) which includedRonnie Wood, Mickey Waller and of course, Jeff Beck.It was with the Jeff Beck Group that Stewart set out on his first U.S. tour, his website explains.

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Rod Stewart Joins Bands

Ronnie Wood, Jeff Beck, Mickey Waller and Rod Stewart of The Jeff Black Group.Ivan Keeman/Redferns

Ivan Keeman/Redferns

Early in his career, Stewart was a part of several groups including The Dimensions, The Hoochie Coochie Men, Steampacket, The Shotgun Express and later, The Jeff Beck Group (pictured here in 1967) which includedRonnie Wood, Mickey Waller and of course, Jeff Beck.

It was with the Jeff Beck Group that Stewart set out on his first U.S. tour, his website explains.

04of 22Rod Stewart and FacesIan McLagan, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Kenney Jones and Tetsu Yamauchi of Faces.Michael Putland/GettyIn 1969, Wood and Stewart left The Jeff Beck Group and joined the remaining members of the band Small Faces to create the band Faces (seen here in 1974.)

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Rod Stewart and Faces

Ian McLagan, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Kenney Jones and Tetsu Yamauchi of Faces.Michael Putland/Getty

Michael Putland/Getty

In 1969, Wood and Stewart left The Jeff Beck Group and joined the remaining members of the band Small Faces to create the band Faces (seen here in 1974.)

05of 22Rod Stewart in the 1970sDick Barnatt/RedfernsIn February 1970, Stewart released his first solo album titledAn Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down,in the U.K.

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Rod Stewart in the 1970s

Dick Barnatt/Redferns

In February 1970, Stewart released his first solo album titledAn Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down,in the U.K.

06of 22Rod Stewart and Elton JohnMichael Putland/GettyStewart went back to his football roots withElton Johnin 1973 at Watford Football Club in London.

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Rod Stewart and Elton John

Stewart went back to his football roots withElton Johnin 1973 at Watford Football Club in London.

07of 22Rod Stewart with Paul McCartneyGraham Wiltshire/RedfernsIn 1974, he palled around backstage with friendsLindaandPaul McCartney.

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Rod Stewart with Paul McCartney

Graham Wiltshire/Redferns

In 1974, he palled around backstage with friendsLindaandPaul McCartney.

08of 22Rod Stewart Goes His Own WayGijsbert Hanekroot/RedfernsIn December 1975, Stewart announced that the Faces were breaking up, his website reveals. By the following spring, he had released enough solo music to dropThe Best of Rod Stewartalbumand in November came part two.

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Rod Stewart Goes His Own Way

Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns

In December 1975, Stewart announced that the Faces were breaking up, his website reveals. By the following spring, he had released enough solo music to dropThe Best of Rod Stewartalbumand in November came part two.

09of 22Rod Stewart PerformsRod Stewart performs in 1977.Tom Hill/GettyRocking a statement red ensemble and his signature hair, Stewart hit the stage at The Omni Coliseum in Atlanta in 1977.

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Rod Stewart Performs

Rod Stewart performs in 1977.Tom Hill/Getty

Tom Hill/Getty

Rocking a statement red ensemble and his signature hair, Stewart hit the stage at The Omni Coliseum in Atlanta in 1977.

10of 22Rod Stewart’s Friendship with Elton John.Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/GettyProving they have always been style icons, Stewart and John were pictured in snazzy ensembles back in 1978. Though they have known each other for decades, the two Englishmen have faced variousups and downsthroughout the years.

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Rod Stewart’s Friendship with Elton John.

Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty

Proving they have always been style icons, Stewart and John were pictured in snazzy ensembles back in 1978. Though they have known each other for decades, the two Englishmen have faced variousups and downsthroughout the years.

11of 22Rod Stewart Gets MarriedRon Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyStewart married first-wife Alana Hamilton, nowAlana Stewart, in 1979 in L.A.

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Rod Stewart Gets Married

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Stewart married first-wife Alana Hamilton, nowAlana Stewart, in 1979 in L.A.

12of 22Rod Stewart and His KidsDave Hogan/Hulton Archive/GettyHe and Alana share children Kimberly and Sean, seen here with dad in 1983.

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Rod Stewart and His Kids

Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty

He and Alana share children Kimberly and Sean, seen here with dad in 1983.

13of 22Rod Stewart and SoccerSteve Morley/RedfernsAs his career in music progressed, Stewart always seemed to find his way back to soccer, playing in charity games and meeting some of the greats like Pelé, seen here in 1975.

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Rod Stewart and Soccer

Steve Morley/Redferns

As his career in music progressed, Stewart always seemed to find his way back to soccer, playing in charity games and meeting some of the greats like Pelé, seen here in 1975.

14of 22Rod Stewart Marries Rachel HunterRod Stewart and Rachel Hunter on their wedding day.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyThough he dated other women following his 1984 split from Alana, Stewart wed model Rachel Hunter in 1990 after meeting not long before. The former couple shares two kids, Renee and Liam.

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Rod Stewart Marries Rachel Hunter

Rod Stewart and Rachel Hunter on their wedding day.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Though he dated other women following his 1984 split from Alana, Stewart wed model Rachel Hunter in 1990 after meeting not long before. The former couple shares two kids, Renee and Liam.

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Rod Stewart’s Awards

Rod Stewart with Rachel Hunter at the 1993 Brit Awards.Dave Hogan/Getty

Dave Hogan/Getty

Over the course of his career, he has won various titles and honors including 15 Grammy nominations and one win as well as being inducted not once but twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as both a solo artist and as a member of Faces.

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Rod Stewart Meets Penny Lancaster

Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster in 2002.Anwar Hussein/Getty

Anwar Hussein/Getty

Stewart and Hunter split in 1999 and shortly after, he began datingPenny Lancaster(seen here in 2002). In 2007, the pair tied the knot.

Amid rumbles of trouble in their marriage in 2024, Stewartmade a statement on Instagramsquashing the sentiment.

17of 22Rod Stewart Writes a BookRod Stewart shows off a copy of his book “Rod: The Autobiography.".Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via GettyStewart put his impressive life story down in the pages of his autobiography,Rod, in 2012.

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Rod Stewart Writes a Book

Rod Stewart shows off a copy of his book “Rod: The Autobiography.".Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty

Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty

Stewart put his impressive life story down in the pages of his autobiography,Rod, in 2012.

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Rod Stewart is Knighted

PA Images/Alamy

19of 22Rod Stewart and His Blended FamilyRod Stewart, Penny Lancaster, Rachel Hunter, Liam Stewart and family.Michael Cooper/GettyAsa dad of eight, Stewart is the proud patriarch of quite the blended family. Here, he is pictured celebrating Liam’s gold medal win in the Ice Hockey Division 1B World Championship with his family members.

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Rod Stewart and His Blended Family

Rod Stewart, Penny Lancaster, Rachel Hunter, Liam Stewart and family.Michael Cooper/Getty

Michael Cooper/Getty

Asa dad of eight, Stewart is the proud patriarch of quite the blended family. Here, he is pictured celebrating Liam’s gold medal win in the Ice Hockey Division 1B World Championship with his family members.

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Rod Stewart’s Big Family

Rod Stewart and his family.Rod Stewart/Instagram

Rod Stewart/Instagram

21of 22Rod Stewart’s Kids and GrandkidsRod Stewart with his kids and grandkids.Kimberly Stewart/ Instagram“I don’t think I’m as strict with my kids as my mom and dad —especiallymy dad — were,” Stewart toldHaute Livingin 2023 ofall of his kids. “I’m very lenient with them. None have gotten into any serious trouble. A couple dabbled with drugs, but that’s all done now. I’m very proud of them all.”Stewart is also now a grandfather, as three of his kids now have children of their own.

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Rod Stewart’s Kids and Grandkids

Rod Stewart with his kids and grandkids.Kimberly Stewart/ Instagram

Kimberly Stewart/ Instagram

“I don’t think I’m as strict with my kids as my mom and dad —especiallymy dad — were,” Stewart toldHaute Livingin 2023 ofall of his kids. “I’m very lenient with them. None have gotten into any serious trouble. A couple dabbled with drugs, but that’s all done now. I’m very proud of them all.”

Stewart is also now a grandfather, as three of his kids now have children of their own.

22of 22Rod Stewart TodayRod Stewart performs in June 2024.Iwi Onodera/RedfernsStewart has continued to perform well into his 70s and though he concluded his 13-year residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in 2024, he said he has plans to return in the new year.“Vegas, I’m having too much fun for this to end so we are coming back for an encore!” the musicianwrote on Instagramalongside the March, May and June 2025 dates.

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Rod Stewart Today

Rod Stewart performs in June 2024.Iwi Onodera/Redferns

Iwi Onodera/Redferns

Stewart has continued to perform well into his 70s and though he concluded his 13-year residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in 2024, he said he has plans to return in the new year.

“Vegas, I’m having too much fun for this to end so we are coming back for an encore!” the musicianwrote on Instagramalongside the March, May and June 2025 dates.

source: people.com