Six rivalries. Six different battles for pride, voice, and respect. Rod Stewart was never shy about naming names, and when it came to musicians he could not stand, he went straight for the heavyweights. Ronnie Wood, Robert Plant, David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Bryan Ferry, and Mick Jagger were all part of his story. Each name carried a story, a sting, and sometimes, a broken friendship that shaped who Rod became.
What makes this list so fascinating is the mix of heartbreak and ego. Ronnie Wood’s move to The Rolling Stones hit Rod like a betrayal and nearly ended their friendship. Robert Plant turned what could have been mutual admiration into a competition over who owned the best voice of the seventies. Bowie’s focus on spectacle clashed with Rod’s belief that music should come first, while his rivalry with Freddie Mercury was all about who could command a stage with more power.
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Fans were split but loud about it. One comment called Ronnie Wood’s decision “the biggest band betrayal of the decade.” Another joked that the Mick Jagger rivalry was “the fight between swagger and swagger.” Many said they loved Rod even more for being so open about his grudges and not hiding how he felt. People wanted to see the fire in him, and this list gave them exactly that energy.
Talking about rivalries makes you wonder about the other side, the artists who shaped him, not just the ones who clashed with him. This is where the mood changes from anger to admiration. It feels like stepping out of the boxing ring and walking into a record store, where Rod picks the sounds that built him and gave him his voice.
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Rod lights up when he talks about The Faces, The Rolling Stones, Sam Cooke, and the blues greats like Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf. His list feels like a musical road map, showing where he borrowed grit, swing, and soul. Fans seemed to love this softer side, with one writing, “This is why Rod’s voice feels like home, it came from legends.”
Rod Stewart has built a career out of being unfiltered and unapologetically himself. His grudges make him human, and his heroes show where his heart really lies. That mix is what keeps people coming back to his music after decades. Follow Rod Stewart on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. His story is still being written, and every fan deserves to hear the next chapter.