The Real ‘Incident’ Story Behind Rod Stewart’s ‘Maggie May’

At the end of 1969, Rod Stewart released his first solo album An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down. Although he was still with The Faces at the time, this album caught the public’s attention and set the stage for his solo career. Just a year later, he followed up with Gasoline Alley which became a huge success, thanks in part to the hit single Maggie May. This song would go on to top the charts in both the US and UK. And it later became one of Stewart’s most iconic tracks.

What’s The Story Behind “Maggie May”?

In an interview, Rod Stewart revealed that Maggie May was inspired by a real experience he had when he was 16 years old. He described the song as something everyone can enjoy, saying, “There is absolutely no one on this planet who does not like ‘Maggie May.’” The track is catchy, fun, and has a unique halftime groove, with Stewart’s full vocal range on display. Notably, it was the first rock song to feature a mandolin solo that became a hit.

A Real-Life “Maggie May”

Rod’s story of the real “Maggie May” dates back to 1961, at the Beaulieu Jazz Festival in Hampshire, UK. In his autobiography, Stewart recalled sneaking into the festival with friends to find beer, music, and girls. That’s when he met an older woman who, as Stewart puts it, was “something of a sexual predator.” They ended up together in a secluded spot, and Stewart was nervous. “I was a virgin, and all I could think is, ‘This is it, Rod Stewart, you’d better put on a good performance here or else your reputation will be ruined all over North London,’” he said. Though it was a brief encounter, it would stay with him and inspire the famous song a decade later.