“In that hushed moment between verses, a father’s voice cracked with emotion as he called out a name no one expected to hear.” Rod Stewart’s “Forever Young” took on an entirely new meaning when his daughter stepped from the shadows, transforming a classic ballad into a living testament of reconciliation. “May the good Lord be with you down every road you roam,” he sang, no longer just lyrics but a father’s blessing for years he couldn’t reclaim. The festival crowd stood transfixed as their voices intertwined—his weathered, hers clear and strong—creating something more intimate than music: the sound of a bridge being rebuilt between two souls who’d found their way back to each other through the very song about cherishing time before it slips away.

During the opening night of his One Last Time North American tour, Sir Rod Stewart had a deeply personal moment to share with his fans. Performing in Austin, Texas, on Friday, March 7, the legendary rocker invited his daughter Ruby to join him on stage for a moving duet of his classic song Forever Young.

Ruby Stewart, the singer’s fourth child with former girlfriend Kelly Emberg, has performed the emotional track with her father before — but this time, it felt especially significant. As they stood side by side under the lights, Ruby’s rich harmonies blended with Rod’s timeless voice, bringing a new depth to a song that already carries so much meaning.

Written by Rod along with Jim Cregan and Kevin Savigar in the late 1980s, Forever Young was inspired by Rod’s reflections on fatherhood. Having missed out on precious years with his eldest children, Sean and Kimberly, due to the demands of his career, Rod made a promise to be more present for his younger kids — often bringing them on tour, Ruby included.

Now 37, Ruby returned to the stage not just as Rod’s daughter, but as a confident performer in her own right. Her presence during the performance added an emotional weight that visibly moved the audience. Together, they sang the song’s powerful closing lines:

“And when you finally fly away / I’ll be hoping that I served you well / For all the wisdom of a lifetime / No one can ever tell…”

Their voices soared in harmony through the final chorus:

“But whatever road you choose / I’m right behind you, win or lose / Forever young, forever young…”

Rod later shared the performance on Instagram, writing:
“My dear friends in Austin… What a stunning night. You all knocked me off my feet. Such enthusiasm and thank you for making my daughter @rubystewart part of the party ….love ya.”

This heartfelt father-daughter duet came just days after Rod welcomed some more joyful family news — the arrival of his fourth grandchild. On March 2, Rod’s son Liam and his wife Nicole celebrated the birth of their daughter, Elsie Skylar Stewart, their second child after welcoming son Louie in 2023.

 

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A post shared by Nicole Artukovich Stewart (@itsnicolestewart)

The couple shared a touching photo online, captioning it: “Our sweet little pea.”

With music, family, and love surrounding him, it seems Rod Stewart is living his own version of “forever young” — and he’s bringing his children along for the ride.