Rod Stewart’s Viral Surprise: What’s Fueling the Rock Icon’s Sudden Surge in Searches Today?

Legendary rocker Sir Rod Stewart will receive the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs) on 26 May, where he is also set to deliver a special live performance that producers promise will “trace his entire musical journey.” The honor places Stewart alongside previous recipients such as Elton John and Stevie Wonder and recognizes more than 250 million records sold, 31 Top-10 singles and two inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The AMAs telecast—airing on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+—marks Stewart’s first appearance on the show’s stage in over two decades. According to Dick Clark Productions, the 80-year-old singer will weave hits like “Maggie May,” “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and “Forever Young” into a new medley arranged with a 15-piece string section, underscoring the mix of rock, folk and soul that has defined his 50-plus-year career. “Performing at the AMAs again feels like coming home. Music has given me everything, and I still have a lot more to give,” Stewart said in a statement, hinting at unreleased material recorded during the pandemic that could surface later this year. VEGAS ENCORE SHOWS CONTINUE Stewart’s AMAs spotlight arrives amid fresh demand for his long-running Las Vegas residency, “Rod Stewart: The Hits.” Caesars Entertainment confirmed an additional eight “Encore Shows” at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace between September and October 2025 after spring dates sold out within minutes. The residency—now in its 14th year—has already grossed more than $250 million and attracts a multi-generational audience, with 40 percent of ticket buyers under 35, according to venue data. AN ENDURING CROSS-GENERATIONAL APPEAL Streaming numbers mirror that youthful surge. Spotify reports a 28 percent year-over-year jump in plays of Stewart’s catalog, driven primarily by Gen Z listeners adding tracks like “Young Turks” and “Sailing” to viral nostalgia playlists. Industry analysts attribute the spike to social-media challenges on TikTok, where the hashtag #RodStewart has surpassed 450 million views, proving that raspy vocals and vintage swagger never go out of style. WHAT’S NEXT AFTER THE AMAs Beyond Las Vegas, Stewart plans a string of UK stadium shows in summer 2026 and is in early talks for an orchestral album that reimagines deep-cut ballads with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, sources close to his management confirm. He also continues philanthropic efforts with The City of Hope and his ongoing campaign to fund mobile MRI units for prostate-cancer screening, a cause he champions after entering remission in 2019. HOW FANS CAN TUNE IN The 2025 American Music Awards broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Fans can vote for all other AMA categories through the official AMAs website and social-media ballots until 23 May. While the Lifetime Achievement honor is non-competitive, producers note that fan engagement will influence the set list Stewart ultimately performs on the night. With a prime-time stage, a booming residency and new music on the horizon, Sir Rod Stewart shows no signs of slowing down. For devotees and first-time listeners alike, the AMAs will be more than an awards moment—it will be a reminder that true rock-and-roll legends only get better with age.