Rod Stewart

With his shock of exquisite rock-star hair and raspy voice, Rod Stewart grabbed the '70s spotlight as lead singer with the Faces. Since then, he's passed through his disco and '80s rock phases to become a classic pop balladeer. These tunes are some of the many prime cuts in Stewart's hit-studded career. Kick off with "Maggie May."

For all his love of showbiz glitter, Rod Stewart has proved himself an artist of substance. In his time, he's been a rootsy folk-rocker ("Only a Hobo"), a fiery R&B belter ("Sweet Little Rock 'n' Roller"), and a suave interpreter of pop standards ("It Had To Be You"). Get a glimpse of Rod in his many guises through our Next Steps.

As Rod Stewart once said, every picture tells a story. And each of his recordings reaffirms just how versatile his singing and songwriting talents truly are. Take a stroll with Rod, from the early years with the Jeff Beck Group and his 1969 solo debut (featuring "An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down") to his Britpop covers, "Rocks" and "Cigarettes and Alcohol."

Throughout his incredible career, Rod Stewart has worn his rock star laurels lightly, and kept his cocky attitude intact, whatever style of music he has made his own. And, as these Essentials prove, the masterful Rod is a genius in any genre: folk, rockin' disco, thumpin' R&B, cabaret — you name it. After all, it takes a rare talent to bridge the gap between "Handbags & Gladrags" and "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy," or between "Dixie Toot" and "Every Time We Say Goodbye," but Rod does it with ease.