Rod Stewart on His Love Child

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With fans eagerly awaiting the release his first album of new material in nearly twenty years, ET sat down exclusively with Rod Stewart for a preview of the album, Time, and an update on the many happenings in his life.

In addition to his longstanding music career, the 68-year-old singer has also been a father for just as long. Stewart had his first child, a daughter, at age 18, but he put the child up for adoption, citing his meager finances at the time.


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Stewart says that although he wasn't able to raise his first child, he recently reconnected with her and the two have established an active relationship.

"Just recently, we've began to get on really well with each other," the "She Makes Me Happy" singer reveals. "We mail each other; we keep in touch. ... I try and see her every time I go back [to the U.K.]."

The British singer now has eight children, most recently welcoming his second child with third wife Penny Lancaster, Aiden Patrick, in February 2011. Now into his sixties, Stewart shared his continued enjoyment in raising children.


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"I love it. People ask me about [being an older dad]—for me, it's been a fountain of youth," he says.

"...When you've had eight children, you tend to think with the first two or three that they're going to be little kids forever, but this time I'm making the most of actually watching them grow up."

His children have not only been a fountain of youth for him but also a source of inspiration for his upcoming album, Time. The album, which features all but one of the twelve tracks written and produced by Stewart, evinces his anticipated return to his songwriting roots.


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Stewart has released over two dozen albums in his career, beginning with his debut album An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down in 1969. Two years, later Stewart released his breakthrough album, Every Picture Tells a Story, which peaked at No. 1 on U.S. and U.K. charts and earned him his first platinum certification.

The album's success was carried by the hit single "Maggie May," which has been one of the only singles in his career to top out at No. 1 in both the U.S. and U.K. The folk song has since become of one Stewart's most iconic.

For ET's exclusive interview with Rod Stewart, check out the video above. Time will be released May 7.