Rod Stewart is one of the most famous and talented British musicians of all time. Though the rocker has spent a considerable amount of time in the spotlight, there are still some things that many people don’t know about him. Here, PPcorn presents a list of 15 facts you probably didn’t know about Rod Stewart.
Number Fifteen: He Has Lived in Los Angeles for 40 Years
Stewart might be British at heart, but he has made Los Angeles his home since 1975. He fled the U.K. because of “tax reasons.” The mansion he keeps with his wife Penny Lancaster has eight bedrooms and 13 bathrooms.
Number Fourteen: He Had Throat Cancer
Stewart discovered that he had a cancerous growth on his thyroid in 2000, and he had to have surgery. While he was in recovery, he lost his ability to sing for nine months, and he was concerned he would never be able to sing again. However, he eventually got his voice back.
Number Thirteen: ‘Maggie May’ Is Based on a Figure From His Past
Rod Stewart lost his virginity to an older woman outdoors, and he mentions it in his song, “Maggie May.” The lyrics that reference it are, “The morning sun, when it’s in your face, really shows your age.”
Number Twelve: Rod Stewart Met His Wife as the Result of a Dare
Stewart was drinking in London’s Dorchester Hotel when 27-year-old model Penny Lancaster approached him as part of a dare. The two now have two children together.
Number Eleven: He Wrote One of the First Songs That Supports Gay Rights
Stewart’s song, called “The Killing of Georgie,” became one of the very first pop songs that protests the treatment of gay men. It was inspired by one of his gay friends who was murdered.
Number Ten: He Loves World War II
It’s true. According to an interview he did, Stewart is a World War II buff, and he is also a CNN junkie.
Number Nine: He Gets an Annual Stress Test
Stewart is health-conscious, and in his old age must make sure everything is working properly. Because of this, he gets a stress test once a year.
Number Eight: He Sang for Queen Elizabeth II
And it was reportedly one of his most nerve-wracking performances. Stewart said that he made eye contact with the Queen while he sang.
Number Seven: He Used to Make Decisions Based on Pub Proximity
It’s true. Rod Stewart said that he used to choose recording studios based on how close they were to the nearest bar.
Number Six: He Wanted to Play Professional Soccer
Stewart used to hate singing, but once his dad bought him a guitar, everyone would ask him to play and sing. He gave up his dream of being a professional soccer player when he realized what his real talent was.
Number Five: He Was Not Successful at First
Though Stewart grew up playing music and singing, he did not achieve commercial success until his hit single, “Maggie May.” The song is off of his third album, Every Picture Tells a Story.
Number Four: He Has Been Married Three Times
And he has had children with each of his three wives. Stewart has two children with his current wife, Penny Lancaster, and he has eight children altogether.
Number Three: He Has Quite a Few Accolades
Stewart has a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, and has been nominated for a Grammy 14 times, with one win. Impressive!
Number Two: He Has a CBE
In 2007, the Queen awarded Stewart an honorable CBE, or Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. He has performed for the Royal family several times, as mentioned above.
Number One: Rod Stewart Has Many Famous Collaborations
Throughout the years, Stewart has collaborated with many famous people, including Cher, Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, Stevie Wonder, and Sir Elton John. And even though nobody can deny he has had a wildly successful career, he is still working at the age of 71!