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- “Maggie May” was released in the US, where it later reached number one and became his first Billboard hit.
- Mercury Records officially changed the A-side of the single “Maggie May” from the original “Reason to Believe” after radio stations and listeners unexpectedly took a liking to “Maggie May”. The recording subsequently reached number one and became his first Billboard song.
- “Maggie May” / “Reason to Believe” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Rod Stewart his first solo No. 1 hit in the United States. “Maggie May” was inspired by his first sexual experience in 1961 and in 2004 was ranked No. 130 on Rolling Stone's list.
- The album “Every Picture Tells a Story” reached No. 1 on the U.S. album chart. At the same time, Rod Stewart reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Maggie May” and “Reason to Believe.”
- Rod Stewart was at No. 1 on the US and UK singles charts with "Maggie May." Originally released as the B-side to "Reason to Believe," it was Stewart's first of six UK No. 1 singles and spent five weeks at the top in Britain; in the US it was No. 1 for the second of five weeks.
- Rod Stewart released the album "Never a Dull Moment".
- Rod Stewart was at number one on the UK singles chart with “You Wear It Well”, his second UK single to reach the top. The song came from the album Never A Dull Moment.
- Rod Stewart released his final solo album for Mercury Records, Smiler. His former Faces bandmates also participated in the recording.
- Rod Stewart reached No. 1 on the UK albums chart with “Atlantic Crossing”, which began a five-week run at the top.
- Rod Stewart took his version of "Sailing" by the Sutherland Brothers to No. 1 on the UK singles chart. The song was originally released by the Scottish folk-rock duo Sutherland Brothers in June 1972. Stewart's version also reached No. 1 in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway that year and was featured in a BBC television series about HMS Ark Royal.
- Rod Stewart started a five-week run at No.1 on the UK Singles chart with the double A-side "Reason to Believe"/"Maggie May."
- Rod Stewart's sixth studio album, Atlantic Crossing, reached No. 1 on the UK album chart and stayed there for two weeks.
- Rod Stewart released the single “Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright),” which later became his second U.S. No. 1 hit. In the United Kingdom, it reached No. 5 despite being boycotted by British radio stations because of its suggestive lyrics. The recording featured whispered French vocals by his then-girlfriend, actress Britt Ekland.
- Rod Stewart performed at the Hollywood Sportatorium in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
- Rod Stewart and his second wife, model Rachel Hunter, welcomed their son Liam McAlister Stewart.
- Rod Stewart's daughter Kimberly Stewart became a mother for the first time when she gave birth to a daughter, Delilah Genoveva del Toro, whose father was actor Benicio del Toro. Rod Stewart thus became a grandfather for the first time.
- Rod Stewart was knighted by Prince William at Buckingham Palace, receiving the title Sir Roderick David Stewart. The honour recognised his contributions to music and charity, including support for the British Red Cross, Breast Cancer Care and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Stewart said he was deeply grateful for his career and for the support of the British public.
- Rod Stewart earned his ninth No. 1 album on the UK chart with Blood Red Roses. Cher's Dancing Queen, featuring covers of ABBA songs, was at No. 2.