# Why is Rod Stewart a legend? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 20, 2014, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973 "2014-08-20T04:52:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/21 "2014-08-20T18:14:39Z")
> [@BeeGee](#): > > If you’re talking about that video, that’s definitely Ronnie Lane playing bass. He’s talking about the liner notes from the album - Ron Wood played bass on that one track. Wood was also the bass player for the early Jeff Beck group, he was apparently pretty comfortable with both guitar and bass. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/22 "2014-08-20T18:25:47Z")
> [@DChord568](#): > > I’m not sure if you think this is a point in his favor or not. I kind of just pretend that this never happened. Well consider this for a moment. Who else can you name that has had hits in all of the following genres of music: Rock Pop Disco Standards Also from his Wiki entry > [@](#): > > Stewart is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold over 100 million records worldwide.[2] > > He has had six consecutive number one albums in the UK, and his tally of 62 UK hit singles include 31 that reached the top 10, six of which gained the number one position.[3] He has had 16 top ten singles in the US, with four reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2007, he received a CBE for services to music. Yeah while he is not always brilliant, the guy has been making music that sells for damn near 50 years and continues to do so. ---
**Author:** ![MG1692](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@MG1692](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MG1692)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/23 "2014-08-20T18:26:27Z")
> [@LC\_Strawhouse](#): > > Not necessarily criticizing this guy - I’m just genuinely curious why he became as critically acclaimed, wealthy and celebrated as he is. He’s always given me the impression of being a standard-issue British rocker, with a large back catalog but a small handful of songs that are familiar (and even those are a bit embarrassing with their sexual lyrics). Am I overlooking something that makes him different? He owns a massive scratch built model train set / you can close the thread now ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/24 "2014-08-20T19:27:46Z")
Which has been mentioned more than once in the thread, yet the thread keeps going. Whodathunk? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/25 "2014-08-20T19:33:14Z")
Why is Rod Stewart a legend? I can only postulate that it’s for the same reason Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill are legends: because he doesn’t actually exist. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/26 "2014-08-20T19:36:45Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Distinctive voice, lots of memorable songs, and sheer longevity. That’s what I came here to say. Nobody else sounds like Rod Stewart. (Well, maybe Bonnie Tyler.) ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/27 "2014-08-20T20:02:43Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Ronnie Lane on bass!! I _love_ that song. > > ETA: if you want to feature the opening bass, you should hear the studio version: [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DlFuXwAGURw](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DlFuXwAGURw) Yeah, I have it, but I love that live version just for seeing how well the band meshes together: with Rod, Ronnie Lane, Ron Wood, Kenny Jones and Ian McLagan they had that perfect combination of tight and loose. I’m not a muso, but it’s just a joy to watch them at work together. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/28 "2014-08-20T20:06:30Z")
> [@Mixolydian](#): > > Slight hijack…never heard that song before (and the bass line is killer), but as mentioned in the video’s comments - boy, is this a ripoff of “Some Kind Of Wonderful” or what? :dubious: Well, given that “Some Kind Of Wonderful” was released in 1974, and “Three Button Hand Me Down” came out four years earlier, I’m going to say no. Mind you, it was probably pinched off some soul band from 1961 anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/29 "2014-08-20T20:06:34Z")
_Every Picture Tells a Story_ belongs in any list of all-time great rock albums. That, plus his work with the Faces, makes him an unshakeable member of the club of rock legends. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/30 "2014-08-20T20:13:46Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > He’s talking about the liner notes from the album - Ron Wood played bass on that one track. Wood was also the bass player for the early Jeff Beck group, he was apparently pretty comfortable with both guitar and bass. Video? Hell, I’m talking vinyl LP!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/31 "2014-08-20T20:33:36Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > Well, given that “Some Kind Of Wonderful” was released in 1974, and “Three Button Hand Me Down” came out four years earlier, I’m going to say no. Mind you, it was probably pinched off some soul band from 1961 anyway. Good guess: Drifters, 1961, covered by Marvin Gaye, 1968… ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/32 "2014-08-20T20:36:03Z")
> [@Mixolydian](#): > > Slight hijack…never heard that song before (and the bass line is killer), but as mentioned in the video’s comments - boy, is this a ripoff of “Some Kind Of Wonderful” or what? :dubious: > [@Penfeather](#): > > Well, given that “Some Kind Of Wonderful” was released in 1974, and “Three Button Hand Me Down” came out four years earlier, I’m going to say no. Mind you, it was probably pinched off some soul band from 1961 anyway. The original “Some Kind of Wonderful” was recorded and released by the Soul Brothers Six in 1967. As it was on a major label (Atlantic), there’s a fairly decent chance that Faces were familiar with it. The less said about Grand Funk Railroad’s 1974 cover, the better. In any case, the bass line on the Faces version certainly surpasses that of GFR, which is basically plods along on the root note with little variation throughout. ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/33 "2014-08-20T20:37:24Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Good guess: Drifters, 1961, covered by Marvin Gaye, 1968… This is a completely different song from the Soul Brothers Six version, the one GFR covered and the Faces apparently were listening to. ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/34 "2014-08-20T20:48:16Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Why is Rod Stewart a legend? > > I can only postulate that it’s for the same reason Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill are legends: because he doesn’t actually exist. I can assure you that he does exist as he lives just down the road from me. It’s not unusual to see him in the local chip shop on a Friday evening buying dinner for the family. He’s easy to spot as he’s the only guy who parks a Ferrari outside the chip shop. Just a regular guy! ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/35 "2014-08-20T20:59:52Z")
> [@DChord568](#): > > The less said about Grand Funk Railroad’s 1974 cover, the better. In any case, the bass line on the Faces version certainly surpasses that of GFR, which is basically plods along on the root note with little variation throughout. Yeah, the Faces version has that intricate little shuffle. Amusingly, TBHMD was the song with which Glen Matlock auditioned for the job of bassist with the Sex Pistols. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/36 "2014-08-20T21:01:53Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > Yeah, I have it, but I love that live version just for seeing how well the band meshes together: with Rod, Ronnie Lane, Ron Wood, Kenny Jones and Ian McLagan they had that perfect combination of tight and loose. I’m not a muso, but it’s just a joy to watch them at work together. Ian McLagan is a keyboard god. Love his work. Coupled with Woody (who comes across as a clueless idiot in his autobio\*, but is just a ridiculously great player) and Lane and KJ - swoon. \*he shoulda read Keef’s and Rod’s books and realized he was in over his head! ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/37 "2014-08-20T22:22:31Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > Which has been mentioned more than once in the thread, yet the thread keeps going. > > Whodathunk? It’s just that we never get a chance to discuss model trains on this board! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/38 "2014-08-20T22:31:38Z")
> [@JacobSwan](#): > > I can assure you that he does exist as he lives just down the road from me. It’s not unusual to see him in the local chip shop on a Friday evening buying dinner for the family. He’s easy to spot as he’s the only guy who parks a Ferrari outside the chip shop. Just a regular guy! Oh. Well then in that case, he’s not a legend. Where did this question come from, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/39 "2014-08-21T00:20:27Z")
> [@LC\_Strawhouse](#): > > Not necessarily criticizing this guy - I’m just genuinely curious why he became as critically acclaimed, wealthy and celebrated as he is. He’s always given me the impression of being a standard-issue British rocker, with a large back catalog but a small handful of songs that are familiar (and even those are a bit embarrassing with their sexual lyrics). Am I overlooking something that makes him different? Yes. He could sing. He could \*really \*sing. Unlike, say, Mick Jagger. Check out his singing on [I’d Rather Go Blind](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpGD9icrIco). Not many people have the nerve to cover Etta James, and fewer still could carry it off. And he had tons of stage presence, and an engaging personality. No surprise that he’s a legend. ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973/40 "2014-08-21T00:26:40Z")
Never have understood why this guy is famous. Instead of me, I mean. I don’t have any talent, either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-rod-stewart-a-legend/695973.md?page=3)