Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart's childhood ambition was to be a soccer star and he was apprenticed to Brentford FC, but was diverted by music and a taste for an alternative lifestyle. Inspired by Sam Cooke, he developed a soulful vocal style that convinced many listeners he was black. He recorded his first single, Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, in 1970 with the Hoochie Coochie Men, who evolved into Steampacket. He became singer with the Jeff Beck Group, where he first worked with Ronnie Wood. Stewart and Wood joined three members of the Small Faces to become the Faces, releasing debut album First Step in 1970, laying the groundwork for Stewart's marathon reign as a solo star. A string of No 1s like Maggie May, You Wear It Well, Sailing and Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? followed and Rod was still at the top two decades later. His career had a resurgence in the 2000s with four volumes of Great American Songbook albums.