June 10, 2016: Rod Stewart Given British Knighthood
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Call him Sir Roderick from now on. As part of her 90th birthday honors, Queen Elizabeth II knighted singer and classic rock legend, Rod Stewart, in the June 10, 2016, announcement.
“I’ve led a wonderful life and have had a tremendous career thanks to the generous support of the great British public,” said Stewart, 71 at the time. “This monumental honor has topped it off and I couldn’t ask for anything more. I thank Her Majesty and promise to ‘wear it well’.”
The formal ceremony was held on October 11, 2016, at London’s Buckingham Palace.
Stewart has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and enjoyed such hits as “Maggie May,” “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright),” “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and, as alluded to above, “You Wear It Well.” Also cited in his being knighted was Stewart’s longtime commitment to a number of charities.
Related: Rod’s unequaled masterpiece
Other British music stars who have been knighted over the years include Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Barry Gibb, Ray Davies, Elton John, Mick Jagger, Tom Jones, Van Morrison and Brian May. Back in 2006, Stewart was named Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), an honor just below knighthood.
Related: Stewart reunites with Faces
The queen honored 1,149 people with various levels of awards. Actress Penelope Wilton, who played Isobel Crawley on Downton Abbey, was named a dame, the female equivalent of a knight. 99-year-old singer Vera Lynn, who kept British spirits high during World War II with hit songs like “The White Cliffs of Dover” and “We’ll Meet Again,” was made a companion of honor. Astronaut Tim Peake, who served on the International Space Station, was also made a companion – “the first person to be honored in this order as a British representative in space,” noted England’s Foreign Office.
Stewart was asked in 2013 by U.K.’s The Radio Times if he was disappointed that he hadn’t been knighted yet. “If my time comes, it will,” he said philosophically. “And if it doesn’t, I’m not bothered.” That time came and Stewart is obviously delighted it did.
When Stewart tours tickets are available here and here.
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