Rod Stewart reveals his greatest regret is not spending enough time with his late father

23 October 2023, 16:12

Sir Rod Stewart recently admitted his greatest regret was not spending enough time with his father before his death in 1990. Picture: Getty

By Thomas Curtis-Horsfall

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Rock stars often have a lengthy list regrets.

The trappings of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll can frequently transform musicians into insufferable people, ones that usually leave a trail of destruction in their wake.

Failed marriages, absent parenting, feuding with long-term friends, and the excesses of the 'rock star' lifestyle when coupled with enormous fame and success often result in a series of burned bridges.

When individual egos outstrip the chemistry some groups have, it more often than not signals the beginning of the end for a band. That's especially when a certain bandmate - usually the lead singer - starts to find success elsewhere.

A similar scenario happened with Rod Stewart and the Faces, as his rising solo stardom caused tensions to simmer between bandmates throughout their initial six-year tenure.

However, when guitarist Ronnie Wood left to join The Rolling Stones, it was the final nail in the coffin for the Faces.

"The thing that triggered my exit was the long-expected decision of Woody to take a job with The Rolling Stones – the band, let's face it, that he was born to be in," Stewart admitted in his 2012 book Rod: The Autobiography.

"That, for me, was the killer blow. To lose Ronnie was bad enough, but to lose Woody as well? ... The jig was well and truly up."

But the Faces splitting triggered a decision that would ultimately come to be Rod's greatest regret - moving to Los Angeles and seeing much less of his father, Robert.

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After leaving the UK in 1975, Rod sought the glamour of Hollywood, though it meant he would only sporadically see his Edinburgh-born dad before his death in 1990.

In a recent interview with New York City radio station iHeartRadio, Rod revealed: "One of my biggest regrets was not spending enough time with my dad when I left in 1975 to come and live in Hollywood."

"And although I used to keep in contact with him, I phoned him up three times a week. I wish I'd just had a little bit more time with him."

During the conversation, Rod went on to say he regretted not being the best father to his own kids, Kimberly and Sean, in the 1980s as he tried to settle debts of a million dollars.

The legendary singer and father of eight said: "In the early 80s, I was in debt for about a million dollars. I owed a million dollars."

"My accounts had been handled terribly, so I had to go out and tour and work my arse off. So they didn’t see much of me. Everything’s cool now."

Rod Stewart left the UK for Los Angeles after Ronnie Wood joined The Rolling Stones and the Faces called it a day. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images). Picture: Getty

Looking back, Stewart evidently wishes things could've been different, though if he hadn't worked as hard at being a musician, he might not be in the position he's in.

The Celtic-supporting singer attributes his seven decade-long success story of a career down to his sheer determination, not his distinct, raspy voice.

Saying his desire to continue working against the odds was the real reason he became an international superstar.

"I think determination has always gotten me through since I was a little kid. I wasn’t particularly bright at school, but I didn’t miss any days at school. I was never absent," he said.

"I was willing to learn and determination got me through; determination got me into this music business."

Determination has got me where I am today and that probably is my biggest strength. I think I’m a very loyal friend."

"I think I'm a very loving husband and hopefully a good dad because I’ve got eight kids, so I have to be a different dad to each one of them all," he added.

Evidently, the regrets he still harbours are one of the reasons why he's ensured he can be the best dad possible, spending the time with his own children like he couldn't do with his dad Robert.