Sir Rod Stewart’s singing career spans decades, and his loyal fanbase hasn’t dwindled through the years.
In a recent interview, the legendary musician talked about one of his most famous songs, and how it almost didn’t even make his first big album.
The 79-year-old is associated with a number of classic hits, but his third album in 1971, Every Picture Tells a Story, was his breakthrough.
It topped charts globally, as did the album’s classic ballad, Maggie May. However, the hit song almost didn’t even make the album.
Stewart recently shared a clip on his Instagram account of a new interview with Access Hollywood, where he explained the story behind the beloved tune.
"They didn’t want it on the album, in fact it nearly didn’t go on the album,” he confessed.
The singer's 'Maggie May' almost didn't make his album
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Continuing, the rocker added: “The record company said, ‘We only have eight tracks, we need one more track!’
“And I said, ‘I’ve got this thing hanging about, these are the lyrics,’ and a DJ turned it over, because it was on the B side.”
“It was put on the A side, and that was it, and I’ll drink to that,” he concluded, taking a celebratory sip of his drink.
When asked his goal for turning 80 years old, Stewart simply remarked: “Keep working, keep enjoying my family, no more babies!”
The 79-year-old talked recently released a new album
Instagram/Access Hollywood
Just last month, Stewart released a new album, Swing Fever, alongside Jools Holland, 66.
The veteran musicians had been excitedly updating fans about working together for the new project, and Stewart recently explained why the two decided to embark on the project, admitting his solo music had “gone stale”.
Speaking about his new record, the Scot explained: “I’d already started making a swing album, but it didn’t turn out how I wanted it.
"It was more Frank Sinatra than it was Louis Prima, let’s say…
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Rod Stewart's Maggie May is one of his most celebrated hits
Instagram/Access Hollywood
“Nothing wrong with Frank at all, he’s the greatest. But the arrangements were very, very polite.”
Speaking to Radio Times, Stewart reflected on an initial project in Los Angeles, adding: “It’s OK to read the music.
“But it was stale, and it was white, to be quite honest with you. So I said to myself: 'Now, who can I turn to?'”