Rod Stewart says The Killing of Georgie would define his legacy, not the era’s biggest hit
A 1976 two‑part track addressing homophobia stands out as the singer’s chosen highlight amid six decades of hits
Rod Stewart says the one song he hopes will define his legacy is The Killing of Georgie, not the era’s chart topping hit Maggie May. The British rocker, now 80, rose to fame in 1971 with Every Picture Tells a Story and its breakout single and has since become one of the best selling artists of all time.
The Killing of Georgie is a two part track on the 1976 album A Night on the Town. It tackles homophobia by telling the story of a man beaten and murdered for his sexuality. The narrative was loosely based on the real life of a friend, though Stewart has said he embellished some details while crafting the song.
In interviews, Stewart has spoken about the track’s significance. In 2011, he discussed it with journalist Dean Goodman and described it as a proud achievement because it dealt with a difficult subject at a time when such topics were rarely addressed in pop music. In a 2016 conversation with The Guardian, he said he knew the friend only faintly but that the song reflected that person and their influence on his life and music.
Beyond the song, the feature touches on Stewart’s long-running relationship with Penny Lancaster. The couple has been together for more than two decades and were married for 18 years at the time of the interview notes. Lancaster has publicly praised her husband, describing him as youthful and full of energy, and she has said they are already looking at tours next year and beyond.
Throughout his six-decade career, Stewart has delivered enduring hits such as Maggie May, Do Ya Think I’m Sexy, Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright), and Sailing. While those tracks remain a defining part of his catalog, the artist has consistently diversified, exploring social themes and storytelling in ways that continue to resonate with fans.
The Killing of Georgie’s status as Stewart’s preferred legacy song underscores a wider arc in his work: a willingness to address complex subjects within the framework of popular music. As he approaches his ninth decade, the track’s message about prejudice and violence remains a stark reminder of the kind of storytelling that helped shape his early career, even as audiences have shifted to new sounds and modes of expression.