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

01/10/2025 08:30 AM

The beloved rocker and father of eight turns 80 on Jan. 10

Rod Stewart has 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 Stewart's Early Days

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

Rod Stewart and His Guitar

According to the rocker'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.

Rod Stewart Joins Bands

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 included Ronnie 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.

Rod Stewart and Faces

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.)

Rod Stewart in the 1970s

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

Rod Stewart and Elton John

Stewart went back to his football roots with Elton John in 1973 at Watford Football Club in London.

Rod Stewart with Paul McCartney

In 1974, he palled around backstage with friends Linda and Paul McCartney.

Rod Stewart Goes His Own Way

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 drop The Best of Rod Stewart albumand in November came part two.

Rod Stewart Performs

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

Rod Stewart's Friendship with Elton John.

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 various ups and downs throughout the years.

Rod Stewart Gets Married

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

Rod Stewart and His Kids

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

Rod Stewart and Soccer

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.

Rod Stewart Marries Rachel Hunter

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.

Rod Stewart's Awards

In 1993, Stewart took home the Brit Award for outstanding contribution and had his wife by his side to share in the moment.

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.

Rod Stewart Meets Penny Lancaster

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

Amid rumbles of trouble in their marriage in 2024, Stewart made a statement on Instagram squashing the sentiment.

"Penny and I could not be more in love with each other after 27 glorious years," he wrote in part. "Please trust me on this..... there's no disharmony in our marriage."

Rod Stewart Writes a Book

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

Rod Stewart is Knighted

In 2016, Stewart was knighted by Prince William making his official name Sir Roderick Stewart. The honor came nearly 10 years after Stewart was named Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Rod Stewart and His Blended Family

As a 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.

Rod Stewart's Big Family

When Liam tied the knot in 2024, he was joined by all seven of his siblings including Sarah Streeter, whom Stewart welcomed in 1963 with girlfriend Susannah Boffey; Kimberly and Sean; Ruby, whom he shares with ex-girlfriend Kelly Emberg; Renee, whom he also welcomed with Hunter; and Alastair Wallace and Aiden Patrick, his children with Penny Lancaster.

Rod Stewart's Kids and Grandkids

"I don't think I'm as strict with my kids as my mom and dad — especially my dad — were," Stewart told Haute Living in 2023 of all 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.

Rod Stewart Today

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 musician wrote on Instagram alongside the March, May and June 2025 dates.