For three decades now, Rod Stewart has been an iconic force in the realm of popular music. As one of Stewart’s album titles promised, there’s Never A Dull Moment.
He’s been everywhere, from Swinging London’s rough and tumble underground to a global career that consistently gives fresh new meaning to the phrase “Blue Eyed Soul.” Through a stellar catalog of classic songs -- many of which he’s written or co-written -- he’s earned his place in the pantheon of genuine musical legends. Other contemporary rock greats burned out our faded away, but Rod Stewart has survived and thrived.
Somehow Rod made it all look -- and sound -- easy. His infinitely expressive voice, sly wit and a truly electrifying stage presence have earned Rod Stewart a place in the hearts and lives of millions of fans worldwide.
“Maggie May.” “Tonight’s The Night.” “Handbags & Gladrags.” “Mandolin Wind.” “Stay With Me.” “You Wear It Well.” “The First Cut Is The Deepest.” “You’re In My Heart.” “Reason To Believe.” “Hot Legs.” “Young Turks.” “Infatuation.” “People Get Ready.” “Downtown Train.” “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?”
These are more than just great songs, they’re milestones marking a career that’s set a number of new musical standards. Talent and taste, class and the common touch. Like the song says, “Some Guys Have All The Luck.”
Roderick David Stewart’s winning streak began in the early Sixties when he was a London kid with a distinctive voice, singing for such bands as Long John Baldry, Steampacket, and Shotgun Express. Rod’s way with blues, R&B and the folk music of his homeland made for a heady musical brew. Add to all that the inspired and influential rock he made with The Jeff Beck Group and The Faces – further proof he could work and play well with others. From 1968 to 1970 he fronted Beck’s rock solid combo and the Faces’ brilliantly loose band of brothers, appearing on essential albums like Truth and Beck-Ola with the former and Long Player and A Nod Is As Good As a Wink To A Blind Horse with the latter Mod Mates.
But it was when he stepped out on his own as a solo artist that he turned the world on its ear with a sound that was simply, splendidly Rod. 1969’s The Rod Stewart Album, 1970’s Gasoline Alley, and, of course, 1971’s classic Every Picture Tells A Story --which featured the international 1 hit “Maggie May” -- firmly established Stewart once and for all as one of rock’s most soulful and most exciting singer-songwriters.
In the years that followed, the hits kept right on coming over a series of accomplished records like Never A Dull Moment, Smiler, and Atlantic Crossing, which marked his move to America. During this same time period, Stewart was also establishing a well-earned reputation as one of rock’s most consistently crowd-pleasing live acts. Stewart became known far and wide as a man of wealth and taste with a passion for soccer and a preference for blondes.
Yet he always had time to make great music. 1976’s A Night On The Town -- featuring the 1 smash “Tonight’s the Night” as well as “The First Cut Is The Deepest” and “The Killing of Georgie” (Part I and II)” -- was rightly hailed as one of Stewart’s true masterpieces. 1977’s Foot Loose & Fancy Free brought “Hot Legs” into Stewart’s sexy body of work, as well as “You’re In My Heart (The Final Acclaim)” and the gorgeous and revealing “I Was Only Joking.” Rather than fighting disco, Stewart simply perfected the form in 1978 with his unforgettable “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy,” the standout song from that year’s chart-topping Blondes Have More Fun.
Like a custom-fit pair of alligator shoes, the Eighties also belonged to the ever-fashionable Rod. 1980’s Foolish Behavior brought the world some much-needed “Passion.” 1982’s Tonight I’m Yours yielded the charming title track and the moving, anthemic “Young Turks.” There were more hits from 1983’s Body Wishes (“Baby Jane”) and 1985’s Camouflage (“Infatuation” and “Some Guys Have All The Luck”). At the end of the decade, Stewart enjoyed another major success with Out of Order, which featured a series of popular singles, including “Forever Young,” “Lost In You,” and “My Heart Can’t Tell You No.” Now riding another big wave, Rod rightly received the Grammy’s coveted Living Legend Award.
In 1990 came Storyteller, a lovingly and thoughtfully conceived retrospective featuring sixty-five cuts spanning his entire career that did justice to Stewart’s remarkable legacy, The lavish package showcased some fresh gems, including Stewart’s epic reinvention of Tom Waits’ “Downtown Train” and a warmly soulful version of The Isley Brothers’ “This Old Heart of Mine” that found Stewart sharing the spotlight with Ronald Isley himself.
1990’s Vagabond Heart got a new decade off to an excellent start, thanks to standout tracks like “Rhythm of My Heart,” “Broken Arrow” and Stewart’s revelatory cover of Van Morrison’s “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You.” That last song also featured prominently on 1993’s Unplugged. . .and Seated, a fantastically stripped-down live recording that featured his inspired onstage reunion with his old Faces mate Ron Wood, now a Rolling Stone on loan.
Stewart remained a busy and productive man through the Nineties on releases like 1995’s Spanner in the Works, which featured a tribute to his musical heroes, “Muddy, Sam & Otis” and 1998’s vivid and contemporary When We Were The Young Boys, with its winning remake of the Faces’ “Oh La La.”
After beginning a new century with 2001’s Human, Stewart decided the time had finally come to pursue what had become a dream, interpreting the standards of The Great American Songbook. Others were skeptical, but Stewart brought this idea to Clive Davis. Upon a first listen to some early demos, a deal to bring Rod to J Records was instantly signed in February 2002.
It Had To Be You. . .The Great American Songbook, the first collection of cherished pop standards, literally took the world by storm in 2002. Debuting at 4 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart, It Had To Be You soon became one of the hottest albums of the year, earning a Grammy nomination and selling four million copies.
The demand was obviously there for a second volume, and who was Stewart to disagree. Released in October 21, 2003, As Time Goes By. . .The Great American Songbook, Volume II was the best sort of sequel, featuring duets with both Cher (“Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered”) and Queen Latifah on the classic song from Casablanca, and like the first Songbook, was also nominated for a Grammy and has sold over 4 million copies.
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