Even the most successful musicians don’t always connect with everyone they play with — and Rod Stewart is no exception. In a recent conversation, Stewart opened up about his early days in music and revealed that while he respected one bandmate immensely as an artist, personally they never really connected on a deeper level.
Rod Stewart first rose to prominence in the 1960s London blues scene, earning a reputation for his soulful vocals before joining the Jeff Beck Group in 1967. That band — which also included future Faces guitarist Jeff Beck and Ronnie Wood — was a turning point in Stewart’s career and set him on a path toward rock stardom.
Despite his later success and long friendship with Ronnie Wood, Stewart admitted there was something about Jeff Beck that set him apart — almost like he was on another planet. In a 2023 interview with Classic Rock, Stewart praised Beck’s extraordinary talent and influence on his own career, acknowledging that Beck’s playing and artistic vision were unmatched. But on a personal level? Stewart said their dynamic wasn’t a deep friendship in the usual sense.
Stewart recounted that he and Wood once found themselves in New York without per diems during a tour with Beck, struggling to get by while the rest of the band managed. The experience wasn’t blamed on Beck himself — Stewart said the situation was more down to Beck’s manager — but it highlighted the different ways they approached life on the road. Despite this, Stewart never lost respect for Beck’s musical genius, saying, “Jeff Beck was on another planet,” and crediting him with opening doors that led to Stewart’s future success.
While Stewart didn’t necessarily click with Beck in the way he did with other collaborators like Ronnie Wood — with whom he would later form The Faces and build a deep bond — he never dismissed Beck’s influence. His admiration remained evident, particularly after Beck’s passing, when Stewart spoke openly about how transformative their time together was.
This candid reflection gives a rare glimpse into the complexity of musical relationships — how two artists can respect and elevate each other creatively without necessarily forming a close personal connection. Stewart’s comments also underline just how important Beck’s role was in shaping the early career of one of rock’s most enduring voices.
