Rod Stewart's autobiography is in bookstores, and I await cracking the binding with baited breath. Rod was (and is) the best when it comes to blue-eyed soul singers, as witnessed by this cover (performed with Faces) of a Temptations classic. NO ONE BETTER.

Rod's book is no holds barred, as witnessed by his revelation that he ingested cocaine anally. Sounds weird, but it could have saved a lot of septums. Get all your kicks at once.

I make it a point to see Rod whenever possible because, like so many of his era, the clock is really ticking. My predilection is heavier music, but Rod could be heavy (Jeff Beck Group). No one had a better voice this side of Sam Cooke. Many tried. None duplicated.

I also love Rod because he's a manic soccer fan. Scotland and Celtic are his preferred sides. When Celtic recently played heavily-favored Barcelona and lost 2-1 on an injury-time goal, the first person I thought of was Rod Stewart. Knew he was watching. Knew he'd be gutted.

Rod Stewart: In my heart, you'll always stay forever young. YNWA.