Sir Rod Stewart soon takes the stage at Glastonbury Festival in the Sunday teatime legends slot.

South Western Railway is marking his success with a new plaque at Twickenham station.

This is the station he used to busk at in the 1960s, where he was ‘scouted’ and his career took off.

While performing on the station, he was discovered by Long John Baldry after he had attended one of Baldry’s gigs at Eel Pie Island.

He began playing to pass the time until his train arrived, unbeknownst to him, Baldry was spectating and offered him a gig.

The new plaque reads “Music legend and train enthusiast, Rod Stewart, started his career at Twickenham station in 1964”. It highlights the station’s history and its connection to Sir Rod Stewart’s beginnings.

It is also well known that Stewart has a passion for trains, having constructed an intricate model railway set and made donations, so the plaque is a perfect way to pay homage to his love for trains and his musical beginnings.

“It’s so fitting that the railway station – the first port-of-call for most visitors to Twickenham – should have this plaque. It acts as a harmonica fanfare for a most historical and still vibrant music neighbourhood. 

“I lead music history tours all over London. The most common question I am asked? “Why isn’t there a plaque here?” Well at Twickenham Station, there is now. Thanks and well done South Western Railway. And congratulations Sir Rod!”. 

Adam Scott, a tour guide who offers music history tours all over London