Early Life and Education of Rod Stewart: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Rod Stewart. From birth to education, explore key events.

Sir Rod Stewart is a highly successful British singer and songwriter, recognized for his raspy voice and significant record sales exceeding 120 million worldwide. He began his music career in 1962 and gained experience with bands like the Dimensions, Long John Baldry and the All Stars, and the Jeff Beck Group. He achieved fame with Faces in 1969 while also starting a solo career. His early albums blended rock, folk, soul, and R&B. His breakthrough album, 'Every Picture Tells a Story' (1971), and the hit single 'Maggie May' topped charts internationally. The following album, 'Never a Dull Moment,' also achieved number one status in the UK and Australia.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1928: Parents Married

In 1928, Robert Joseph Stewart and Elsie Rebecca Gilbart married.

January 1945: Born in Highgate, North London

On January 10, 1945, Roderick David Stewart was born at 507 Archway Road, Highgate, North London. He was the youngest of five children of Robert Joseph Stewart and Elsie Rebecca Gilbart.

January 1945: Rod Stewart Born

Roderick David Stewart was born on January 10, 1945. He is a British singer and songwriter known for his raspy voice and is one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

1956: Introduction to Rock and Roll

In 1956, Rod Stewart's introduction to rock and roll was hearing Little Richard's hit "The Girl Can't Help It", and seeing Bill Haley & His Comets in concert.

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January 1959: Received a Guitar

In January 1959, Rod Stewart's father bought him a guitar, and the first song he learned was the folk tune "It Takes a Worried Man to Sing a Worried Song".

1960: Trials at Brentford

In the summer of 1960, Rod Stewart went for trials at Brentford, a Third Division football club, aiming to become a professional footballer.

1961: Joined Aldermaston Marches

From 1961 to 1963, Rod Stewart actively supported the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, joining the annual Aldermaston Marches. In 1961, he was also arrested on three occasions for participating in sit-ins.

1962: First Serious Relationship

In 1962, Rod Stewart had his first serious relationship with London art student Suzannah Boffey. She became pregnant, but they gave the baby up for adoption and ended their relationship.

1963: Continued Aldermaston Marches

From 1961 to 1963, Rod Stewart actively supported the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, joining the annual Aldermaston Marches.

1963: Adopted Mod Lifestyle

In 1963, Rod Stewart adopted the Mod lifestyle and look, and began styling his trademark spiky rooster hairstyle. He became fascinated by rhythm and blues and soul music after seeing Otis Redding in concert and listening to Sam Cooke records.

1963: Deported from Spain

Over 18 months, Wizz Jones and Rod Stewart took their act to Brighton, Paris, and then Barcelona. In 1963, Rod Stewart was deported from Spain for vagrancy.

1970: Support for Enoch Powell

In 1970, Rod Stewart expressed support for the anti-immigration Conservative Party politician Enoch Powell, stating that the United Kingdom was "overcrowded".

1975: Faces US tours and eventual breakup

In 1975, Faces toured the US twice. Due to Rod Stewart's solo career and Ronnie Wood's involvement with the Rolling Stones, the Faces broke up at the end of the year.

1975: Move to Los Angeles and release of Atlantic Crossing

In 1975, Rod Stewart moved to Los Angeles and released the Atlantic Crossing album for his new record company, using producer Tom Dowd and the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.

May 2000: Diagnosis and Surgery for Thyroid Cancer

In May 2000, Rod Stewart was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and underwent surgery the same month, threatening his voice and requiring him to re-learn how to sing.

September 2002: Son's Sentencing

In September 2002, Rod Stewart's son, Sean, was sentenced to three months in jail and required to pay compensation and attend anger management, drug and alcohol treatment courses for attacking a man outside a restaurant in Los Angeles.

July 2007: Performance at the Concert for Diana

On July 1, 2007, Rod Stewart performed at the Concert for Diana held at Wembley Stadium in London, in remembrance of Princess Diana. He sang "Sailing", "Baby Jane" and "Maggie May".

December 2007: Model Railroader Cover Story

In December 2007, Rod Stewart's HO scale model railway layout, called the Three Rivers City, was featured in the cover story of Model Railroader magazine. Stewart expressed that being in a model railroad magazine meant more to him than being in a music magazine.

December 2010: Model Railroader Feature

In December 2010, Rod Stewart's Three Rivers City model railway layout was again featured in Model Railroader magazine.

2012: Autobiography Clarification

In his 2012 autobiography, Rod Stewart clarified that he was never signed to Brentford after his trials in 1960.

2012: Clarification of football team support in Autobiography

In his 2012 book, 'Rod: The Autobiography', Rod Stewart clarified his support for Celtic and his earlier attachment to Manchester United due to their Scottish players in the 1970s.

Rod: The Autobiography

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September 2013: Presentation of Brits Icon award to Elton John

In September 2013, Rod Stewart presented Elton John with the first Brits Icon award at the London Palladium, recognizing John's impact on UK culture.

February 2014: Model Railroader Feature

In February 2014, Rod Stewart's model railway layout, Three Rivers City, was featured in Model Railroader magazine. The article also confirmed that Stewart is color-blind.

2015: Presentation of Scottish League Cup trophy to Celtic

In 2015, Rod Stewart presented Celtic with the trophy after they won the Scottish League Cup Final.

June 2017: Model Railroader Feature

In June 2017, Rod Stewart's model railway layout, Three Rivers City, was once again featured in Model Railroader magazine.

2017: Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

In 2017, Rod Stewart was diagnosed with prostate cancer, though the information was not made public until September 2019 after he had received successful treatment.

September 2019: Public Revelation of Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Recovery

In September 2019, Rod Stewart revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017, and had been given the all-clear after treatment.

2019: Railway Modeller Interview

In 2019, Rod Stewart said in an interview with Railway Modeller magazine, that his model railway hobby is "addictive" for him.

2021: Sunday Times Rich List

In 2021, Rod Stewart was estimated to have a fortune of £215 million in the Sunday Times Rich List, making him the 12th wealthiest person in the British music industry.

March 2022: Pothole Repair

In March 2022, Rod Stewart and others filled potholes on a lane near his Essex residence after an ambulance burst a tire and his Ferrari couldn't pass. The county council cautioned against residents making their own repairs.

June 2022: Performance at the Platinum Party at the Palace

In June 2022, Rod Stewart performed at the Platinum Party at the Palace.

November 2022: Refusal to perform in Qatar

In November 2022, Rod Stewart stated that he had refused to perform in Qatar the year before despite an offer of "over $1m", citing the country's human rights record.

January 2023: Political Views

In January 2023, Rod Stewart, who described himself as having been "a Tory for a long time", called on Rishi Sunak's Conservative government to stand down and give the Labour Party "a go" at governing. He also called Brexit "an enormous mistake and we're realising it too late", and said Scottish independence would be "a shame".

May 2023: Performance at Jeff Beck tribute concerts

In May 2023, Rod Stewart performed at the Jeff Beck tribute concerts held at the Royal Albert Hall, sharing the stage with Ronnie Wood, Eric Clapton, Kirk Hammett, and Johnny Depp, among others.

February 2024: Acquisition of Rod Stewart's catalogue by Iconic Artists Group

In February 2024, Irving Azoff's Iconic Artists Group acquired Rod Stewart's catalogue for close to $100 million.

December 2024: Model Railroader Cover Story

In December 2024, Rod Stewart's HO scale model railway layout, called the Three Rivers City, was featured in the cover story of Model Railroader magazine.

January 2025: Model Railroader Cover Story

In January 2025, Rod Stewart's HO scale model railway layout, called the Three Rivers City, was featured in the cover story of Model Railroader magazine.

June 2025: Support for Reform UK

In June 2025, Rod Stewart expressed support for Reform UK and its leader, Nigel Farage, having previously criticised Farage for saying that the West had provoked the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.