The iconic rocker Rod Stewart has enjoyed a successful career and international stardom spanning five decades. He skyrocketed into the spotlight in the 1960s when he was a member of the chart-topping rock band, The Faces. Even before their break-up, Rod’s solo career had taken off and caused the rift within the group as promoters classified them as Rod Stewart and The Faces. Despite this, the 80-year-old went on to become of the most triumphant members of the group and went on to achieve 10 number-one albums in the UK and six number-one singles and has continued to enjoy his successful career with ongoing worldwide tours.

Some of those hit songs include Maggie May, Do Ya Think I’m Sexy, Forever Young and Hot Legs, which Rod is expected to take to the stage on Saturday (August 23) with the continuation of the South American leg of his One Last Time tour. However, despite penning chart-toppers, the performer revealed there is one song he vows to never sing again. As well as his own songs, Rod is famous for performing covers and making them his own.

He famously did this during his Legends slot at Glastonbury Festival earlier this year where he also sang songs from the likes of Sam Cooke, The Persuaders and Cat Stevens.

Despite being a rock vocalist, Rod has been open about his admiration for soul singer Sam Cooke and labelled him one of his early influences. Sam famously pioneered a genre and was labelled the “King of Soul” before his tragic death in 1964, aged 33.

Since the 70s, Rod has sung different renditions of the late musician’s music and recently revealed that he wished he had written Sam’s 1957 hit, You Send Me.

According to Far Out Magazine, the icon admitted: “I always find when I do a Sam Cooke song, I’m a poor imitation of him.

“I just hear myself trying to sound like Sam Cooke. It’s a waste of time. I’ll never do a Sam Cooke song again. There’s honesty for you!”

Although Rod’s signature raspy song may not match up to Sam’s voice, he opted to instead cover his 1962 track, Having a Party, during Glastonbury.

The electrifying performance which took place in July also saw the singer make an emotional admission after thousands flocked to Worthy Farm to see him perform.

Rod revealed he battled to hold back tears during his final song. When asked by BBC Radio 2’s Jo Whiley if he “lost it” during Sailing, the 80 year old admitted: “Yes, a little bit teary eyed.

“It’s just such an emotional event. Especially if you’re British. This is our Woodstock and there’s nothing bigger in the world and we do it the best,” he added.