Roderick David Stewart was born on January 10, 1945 in Highgate, London, England. Although always having a love for music, the singer also loved soccer. He had hopes of a professional soccer career at one point. In the early 1960s he was an apprentice professional with the Brentford Football club. He then traveled around Europe with folk artist, Wizz Jones. In 1963, Stewart joined the R&B group, Jimmy Powell And The Five Dimensions, in which he played the harmonica. Stewart soon left the group and moved to London where he was hired by the Hoochie Coochie Band, which was fronted by Long John Baldry. The band had no success, and Stewart ended up parting ways with the group. In 1965, he joined the Shotgun Express. In this Blues band, Stweart shared lead vocals with Baryl Marsden. The Shotgun Express consisted of group members: Peter green, Mick Fleetwood, and Peter Bardens. Stewart soon left the Shotgun Express to become a member of a Blues and R&B band called Known. He soon let Known to join the Jeff Beck Group.
The Jeff beck Group recorded two albums while Stewart was a member. These albums were Casa Nostra-beck Ola and Truth. The group continuously toured the United States. They soon broke up however, stating the reason as being pure exhaustion. After The Jeff beck Group split, Stewart and friend, Ron Wood joined a group called Faces. Stewart would remain in Faces for quite awhile even as he reached success as a solo artist. During this time, Stewart singed a solo contract with Phonogram records. Stewart’s breakthrough album, Gasoline Alley, was soon released. The album contained the hit single, “Lady Day.” In 1969, he released The Rod Stewart Album.
In 1971, Rod Stewart released Every Picture Tells A Story. This album single-handedly made the singer a household name. The album was number one both in Britain and in the United States. The first single, “Reason to Believe,” was a huge hit. The second single, “Maggie May,” was an even greater hit. In the spring of 1973, Stewart released Never A Dull Moment. The album reached number two on U.S. charts and number one on British charts. Stewart then released Smiler. This album did not do well at all. In fact, the singer received much criticism for the album’s below par tracks. It was around this time when Rod Stewart began dating actress, Britt Ekland. At the time, he was so enamored with Ekland that he allowed her to dictate his dress and style. It was also around this time where Stewart began getting more publicity from the media.
Stewart’s next album was Atlantic Crossing. This is considered his last critical success. The single, ‘Sailing,” was written by Gavin Sutherland. ‘Sailing,” would later become the anthem for soccer crowds. In 1975, Stewart left England and moved to Los Angeles, California. In 1976, he released A Night on The town. This album was recorded in a Hollywood studio with studio musicians. This was his first platinum album. The single, “Tonight’s the Night,” was a big hit.
In 1978, Stewart had his first platinum single with the song, ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” The song, which was co-written by Stewart and drummer Carmen Appice, is considered a defining moment in the singer’s career. Many claim this is where he ‘sold out.’ The single, which talks about a couple meeting at a dance club, was marketed towards that era’s disco fad. In 1980, Stewart married George Hamilton IV’s ex-wife, Alana. That marriage soon ended, and he began a relationship with Kelly Emberg. In 1981, he released Tonight I’m yours. The album went platinum. After this time, he began having a decrease in record sales. In 1983, he released Camouflage. The album went gold, but was considered a disappointment.
In 1988, Stewart released Out of Order. The album was recorded by Duran Duran member, Andy Taylor and Chic member, Bernard Edwards. Stewarts cover on Tom Watts hit song, “Downtown Train,” was very successful. Soon after, the artist released Vagabound Heart. In 1993, Stewart released Unplugged.. and Seated from the taping of Unplugged on MTV. The album contained a cover of van Morrison’s song, “Have I Told You lately.” The album also contained a cover of Tim Harden’s song, “Reason to Believe.” That same year, he recorded a song with Bryan Adams and Sting for The Three Musketeers soundtrack. The song, “All For Love,” did very well.
In 1995, Stewart released A Spanner in the Work. The album contained a cover of Tom Petty’s song, “Leave Virginia Alone.” In 1996, he released if We Fall in Love Tonight. The album contained both new and old material. On June 2, 1998 he released When We Were the New Boys. The album was number two on UK charts. He did covers of songs by Oasis, Primal Season, and Waterboy Mike Scott. In 2001, Stewart released Human.
In February of 2002, Stewart left his old recording company that he had been with for 25 years and signed to Clive Davis’s J Records. He then released an album he described as being an American songbook. In November 2003, Stewart performed on the 31st Annual American Music Awards.
Bio written by: bandhunt |
|
Add to Profile
