Introduction
At nearly 80, Rod Stewart can still make hundreds of thousands of fans cheer beneath the stage lights, proving that the aura of a legend never truly fades. Yet behind the thunderous applause lies a quieter truth: age, illness, and loss have turned his once-golden days into a journey shadowed by sorrows that are difficult to conceal.
On June 29, 2025, crowds packed the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. When Rod Stewart stepped into the spotlight, the atmosphere erupted. His setlist featured career-defining tracks such as Maggie May, Do Ya Think I’m Sexy, and Stay with Me. The night reached its peak when he reunited with Ronnie Wood, Mick Hucknall, and singer Lulu—sending the audience into frenzy. Yet the press remained divided. The Guardian praised the performance as “warm and energetic,” while The Independent criticized Rod’s voice as weakened. When he unexpectedly mentioned politician Nigel Farage, boos erupted from parts of the crowd. Still, Rod’s optimism and charm carried the night, reminding everyone of his enduring star power.
If Glastonbury reaffirmed his presence as a stage legend, his 2025 touring schedule proved he had no intention of slowing down. Following his One Last Time tour in 2024 with Cheap Trick, Rod continued performing alongside Billy Joel at major stadiums such as Yankee and Acrisure. Though he was forced to cancel a few U.S. dates due to the flu, he returned in full force weeks later, performing Forever Young at the American Music Awards to roaring applause.
Offstage, Rod remained active in the studio. His album Swing Fever, released in February 2024 with Jules Holland, marked a return to the classic big band sound. It topped the UK Albums Chart and reached the Top 10 in both the U.S. and Australia. However, by late 2024, Rod announced that he would step away from large-scale world tours. “I’m not retiring,” he emphasized. “I just want to protect my health and devote more time to family.”
In his private life, Rod found balance with his wife Penny Lancaster, whom he married in 2007. To celebrate their 18th anniversary in 2025, they took a luxury train journey from Paris to Italy. “We have strict family rules—no shouting, always harmony,” Penny once said, affirming the deep bond that has carried them through the years.
From a poor London boy who once dug graves to survive, to a global superstar with Maggie May, and later a man confronting cancer and personal loss, Rod Stewart has walked through every peak and valley. Now, in his later years, he considers family and the love of music to be his greatest legacy.