Rod Stewart, born Roderick David Stewart on January 10, 1945, in Highgate, London, is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. His distinctive raspy voice has been a staple in rock and pop music since the late 1960s.
Stewart was the youngest of five children of Robert Joseph Stewart, a builder, and Elsie Rebecca Gilbart. His family was of Scottish ancestry and was passionate about football, a trait that Rod also inherited. As a child, Rod had ambitions to become a professional footballer, and he was actually considered for a position with the Brentford F.C., although this never materialized into a professional career.
Stewart’s interest in music started to surface in his teenage years. He was influenced by folk singers like Woody Guthrie and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and skiffle musicians like Lonnie Donegan. He received his first guitar at the age of 14, and his love for rhythm and blues started to grow as he explored records by artists such as Little Richard and Sam Cooke.
He did not excel academically and left school at 15 to become an apprentice with the John Tann Safe Company. However, Stewart pursued his interest in music on the side, busking in the streets with a harmonica and performing with various bands.
After bouncing between jobs and finding minor success with a few bands, Stewart eventually joined the Jeff Beck Group in the late 1960s. His tenure with the band brought him into the limelight. His subsequent career with the Faces and as a solo artist made him one of the most iconic figures in rock and roll.
Rod Stewart Childhood Photos
