Do ya’ think he’s sexy? Apparently, models and actresses worldwide did. With over a half century of musical achievements, Rod Stewart is regarded as one of the best interpretive singers to ever exist. Born in England on January 10, 1945, Roderick David Stewart became one of music’s most unexpected, noteworthy stars. Rod Stewart was the youngest child of five, with the greatest ambition.

Prior to his music journey, Rod Stewart was an amateur football player for the Brentford Football Club in London. It didn’t take long for him to figure out that soccer wasn’t his calling, and Stewart soon joined Wizz Jones on his European “tour”, singing on the streets for money. Rod Stewart was even deported from Spain for begging. He hit a very low point while working as a gravedigger in order to stay off the streets.

When things got too grimy, Rod Stewart returned to London and linked up with the members of Jimmy Powell & The Five Dimensions as a vocalist in 1964. His band hopping days soon followed as he would break away from and link up with band after band trying to find his big break into the business. Some of these bands included The Hoochie Coochie Men (with Long John Baldry), Steampacket, Shotgun Express (with Mick Fleetwood and Peter Green), Python Lee Jackson (in Australia), and finally settled down with the Jeff Beck Group in 1966.

It was with the Jeff Beck Group that Rod Stewart would begin to develop his style of singing and together they started their ascension to the top. In 1968, the Jeff Beck Group’s debut album, Truth, transformed into an international hit and they toured accordingly. By 1969 the group dissolved.

It was time for new things. Rod Stewart took the reigns of his musical career and decided to simultaneously work on his Solo career while joining a new band called The Faces (along with Ron Wood from the Jeff Beck Group). With the release of his 1969 debut solo album, The Rod Stewart Album (otherwise known as An Old Raincoat Won’t Let You Down in the UK), Rod Stewart branded his trademark formula of folk, rock, and blues which ultimately laid the foundation for his musical success.

In 1970, when The Faces released their first album entitled First Step, they immediately won fans over and rocketed to stardom. Their sound was similar to The Rolling Stones, and their loyal supporters loved their style. Both Rod Stewart, as a solo artist, and The Faces rode the superstar wave for years, making history with #1 singles on the American and European charts. But, in 1972 the tension became quite thick as members of The Faces noticed Rod Stewart getting more acclaim and devoting more time to his solo career. When it came to The Faces, Rod Stewart’s work was always sloppy and seemed half-hearted. In 1975, the group dismantled entirely. Ron Wood went on to join the Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart focused solely on his solo career.

On his own and living by his own terms, Rod Stewart continued to make hits, along with his fair share of flops. In 1979, Stewart released the single “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” which became one of his most recognizable songs. It hit the #1 spot on musical charts across the Atlantic and sold over 4 million records. Unfortunately, it was also the beginning of a very long drought for Rod Stewart’s #1 hit career, which would last until his release of Stardust… The Great American Songbook III, 25 years later.

Some critics say that Rod Stewart’s demise was his love of himself and his obsession with fame. Beautiful women loved Rod Stewart, almost as much as he loved himself. He has had seven children with several gorgeous women from as early as 1964 to 2005. In 1964, Rod Stewart and art student Susannah Boffey gave birth to Sarah Thubron.  Stewart was later linked with actress Britt Ekland.

His first marriage to Alana Hamilton produced two children, Kimberly Stewart, who is now a model and a son Sean. In 1987, Rod Stewart welcomed his daughter, Ruby, into the world with model Kelly Emberg. Rachel Hunter, who has been featured in Hugh Hefner's Playboy magazine for her striking looks and gorgeous body, was married to Rod Stewart for many years. They have two children (Renee and Liam) together.

Rachel was quoted as saying she’d never ask for alimony if they ever divorced. After his divorce from supermodel Hunter, Rod Stewart was constantly in the tabloids with his longtime sweetheart and companion Penny Lancaster, who was also a model. The couple gave birth to their son, Alastair Wallace on November 27, 2005.