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, we present our list of 15 things you probably didn’t know about Rod Stewart. Check out part one below, and stay tuned for part two, coming soon!
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. 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: He 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. 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.