born January 10th 1945, London

Stewart sang with several groups during this period, Jimmy Powell & The Five Dimensions (1963-4), The Hoochie Coochie Men (1964-5), Steampacket (1965-6) and Shotgun Express (1966-7), as well as making occasional solo records.

He first sought a career as a professional footballer and was at one time on the books of Brentford FC, before becoming an itinerant folk singer travelling through France and Spain with another singer, Raymond "Wizz" Jones. In 1963, he returned to London and played harmonica and sang with Jimmy Powell's band before joining the Hoochie Coochie Men as second singer. In '65 he became a founder of Steampacket but they folded a year later as the R&B scene in London faded. He briefly sang with Shotgun Express, who recorded one single in 1966.

During this period, dubbed "Rod the Mod", Stewart made his first solo recordings

After the short-lived sojourn with Shotgun Express moved on to The Jeff Beck Group, before replacing Steve Marriott in The Small Faces/The Faces and then launching a solo career that made him an international superstar.