Rod Stewart

Sir Rod Stewart is a prominent figure in the history of rock and roll, recognized for his distinctive raspy singing voice and status as one of the best-selling music artists, with more than 120 million records sold worldwide. Stewart began his music career in the early 1960s, initially busking with a harmonica before joining several bands. He became a member of the Jeff Beck Group and later joined Faces while simultaneously launching a solo career. Stewart's early albums blended rock, folk, soul, and R&B influences. His third album, "Every Picture Tells a Story," achieved international chart success, as did its single "Maggie May."

As a solo artist, Stewart demonstrated versatility, evolving his sound across decades. He reached the top of the U.S. charts with "Tonight's the Night" from "A Night on the Town" and found further success with "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" from "Blondes Have More Fun." In the 2000s, Stewart released a series of albums interpreting the Great American Songbook, including "Stardust: The Great American Songbook 3," which became his first U.S. number-one album in 25 years and earned him a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Stewart later returned to songwriting with albums such as "Time" and "Blood Red Roses," and released collaborative and orchestral projects including "You're in My Heart: Rod Stewart with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra," "The Tears of Hercules," and "Swing Fever" with composer Jools Holland.

Stewart's career has included overcoming personal health challenges, including thyroid and prostate cancer diagnoses. After successful treatment and recovery, Stewart became an advocate for early cancer detection and supports cancer-related charities.

Stewart's honors include induction into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and UK Music Hall of Fame, both as a solo artist and as a member of Faces. His accolades include a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, the first Diamond Award from the World Music Awards for over 100 million records sold, a Grammy Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Stewart was knighted in Britain for services to music and charity. He also set a Guinness World Record for the largest free rock concert attendance, performing before 3.5 million people on Copacabana beach in Rio.

Stewart's career-spanning album "Ultimate Hits" and recognition with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the American Music Awards underscore his enduring influence in the music industry. His performance of "Forever Young" at the AMAs marked a notable return to the stage. Stewart's voice and catalog continue to resonate across genres and generations, maintaining his position as a leading figure in rock music.