Rod Stewart may have been born in London in 1945, but his father was an Edinburgh builder and the singer sees himself as Scottish – famously supporting both Celtic and Scotland football teams.
His early music career saw him busk on the streets of London and featuring in a succession of bands, most famously the the Jeff Beck Group and Faces, before releasing his debut solo album in 1969.
In 1971 he released the album ‘Every Picture Tells a Story’ which topped charts all over the world, as did the single ‘Maggie May’.
Since then he has released a string of hits, selling over 250 million records, enjoying 31 top ten singles in the UK including six number ones.
Honours collected during his amazing career include a knighthood, being ranked the 17th most successful artist on the ‘Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists’, a Grammy Award, a Brit Award, voted at No. 33 in Q Magazine's list of the Top 100 Greatest Singers of all time, and being inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice – for both his solo work and as a member of Faces.
Here are 13 insightful and funny thinks Sir Rod has said.
5. Rod Stewart on...being knighted
"Well, I have a CBE and I accepted it with glee because it's not bestowed on you by the royal family, it's not bestowed on you by the government, you have to be nominated by the public." Photo: Frank Micelotta
6. Rod Stewart on...retiring
"I want to go out at the top, but the secret is knowing when you're at the top, it's so difficult in this business, your career fluctuates all the time, up and down, like a pair of trousers." Photo: Jeff J Mitchell
7. Rod Stewart on...France
"I'll tell you what I love. Sending back bottles of wine that aren't right in restaurants in France! Whoa! I love the French, but I do find their wine snobbery something unbearable." Photo: Steve Wood
8. Rod Stewart on...football
"I am passionate about football. My support for Celtic FC has got me through some hard times in my life. I still play regularly, too." Photo: Frank Micelotta