ROD HISTORY: Once upon a time… 10 September 1964

We’re focusing on an event that, in itself, is hardly worth mentioning – one that probably didn’t really interest anyone in 1964 – but which, a full 62 years later, has become a milestone in music history.
Let’s take a look back at the late summer of 1964. The Beatles were the talk of the town at the time and were at the height of their career. Bands such as the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, the Animals and The Who were shaping the new, powerful beat and rock sound that was taking the world by storm.
And at precisely that moment, a young man, not yet 20 years old, walked into a recording studio in London and recorded his very first single. This man’s name was Roderick David Stewart, better known today as Sir Rod Stewart, and one of the most successful musicians of all time.
Back then, in 1964, young Rod had no idea what lay in store for him in his musical career. Stewart had only just been discovered by the British blues musician and singer Long John Baldry whilst playing the harmonica at a London railway station, and had been hired as a backing vocalist for his band.

Young Rod then set about recording his first single, choosing the track “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” – a song first released in 1937, originally titled “Good Morning, Schoolgirl”. However, the song did not really take off, despite a TV appearance on the British music programme “Ready! Steady! Go!”, the “little schoolgirl” played no significant role in the music charts. The track remained virtually unknown and, to this day, is really a song for connoisseurs and music experts. “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” became known to his huge fanbase, at the latest, with the release of the box set “Storyteller – The Complete Anthology: 1964–1990”, which was released in 1989.
To this day, however, the song has remained a huge fan favourite, particularly amongst long-standing Stewart supporters, who have repeatedly hoped to see it included in the singer’s concert set lists.
Regardless, the release of Stewart’s first single marks the beginning of one of the greatest careers in the music world. And who knows, perhaps “Little Schoolgirl” will make it onto the set list at one of his upcoming concerts next year after all.