Rod Stewart Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at 2025 American Music Awards

Published: May 27, 2025

Rod Stewart, the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 American Music Awards, held on Monday, May 26, live from Las Vegas. The legendary musician received the award in a surprise appearance by his five children: Kimberly, 45, Sean, 44, Ruby, 37, Renee, 32, and Liam, 30.

Stewart, 80, was visibly moved by the surprise, hugging his children on stage. "I am absolutely flabbergasted. I didn't know they were here — my children," he told the audience. He continued, "When I started singing in the early '60s, well before all of you lot were here, the reason I got into it [was] because I had this burning ambition to sing. It's all I wanted to do. I didn't want to be rich or famous, and here I am a few years later, picking up this wonderful award."

Stewart also performed one of his "timeless classics," the 1988 hit "Forever Young," with a twist, adding a folk interlude midway through the song. This marked his first performance at the awards show since 2004.

Throughout his illustrious career, Stewart has amassed over 50 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and 16 Hot 100 top 10 chart-toppers. He is known for hits like "Maggie May," "Hot Legs," "Infatuation," "Do You Think I'm Sexy," "Some Guys Have All the Luck," and "Tonight's the Night."

Check out all of PEOPLE's full AMAs coverage here.

This summer, Stewart is slated to perform at Glastonbury as one of the oldest musicians to play there. He will also be playing on the North American leg of his One Last Time World Tour.

In May, June, September, and October, the Grammy-winning singer also has shows scheduled at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

The American Music Awards, hosted by Jennifer Lopez, are airing live Monday, May 26 from Fontainebleau Las Vegas at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.