Rod Stewart Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from His Children at 2025 AMAs: ‘Absolutely Flabbergasted’

Rod Stewart received a coveted honor at the 2025 American Music Awards.

On Monday, May 26, the “Forever You” musician was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented by five of his eight children: Kimberly, 45, Sean, 44, Ruby, 37, Renee, 32 and Liam, 30.

When Stewart, 80, took the stage to accept the accolade, he hugged his kids.

“I am absolutely flabbergasted. I didn’t know they were here — my children,” he told the audience.

Stewart 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.”

He then shared his gratitude for artists who influenced him like Sam Cooke, David Ruffin and Muddy Waters.

Stewart, sporting a white tux and pinstripe trousers, also performed one of his “timeless classics,” the 1988 hit “Forever Young,” marking his first performance at the awards show since 2004.

However, the legendary musician put a twist on the song with a folk interlude midway through the song.

When the news was announced that Stewart would be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, executive producers Barry Adelman, EVP, Television, and Alexi Mazareas, SVP, Programming & Development, Dick Clark Productions said in a statement: “Sir Rod Stewart is a master showman whose charisma and energy have defied time and embody the very spirit of rock and roll.”

They added: “We are looking forward to another epic performance on the AMAs stage as well as celebrating his incredible body of work when he receives the Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Stewart has had over 50 hit songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and 16 Hot 100 top 10 chart-toppers throughout his career. 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+.