"An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down" is the debut solo studio album by Rod Stewart, originally released in the United States in November 1969 under the title "The Rod Stewart Album." The album later saw a release in the United Kingdom in February 1970 under its original title.
The album features a blend of rock, folk, and blues influences, showcasing Rod Stewart's distinctive raspy vocals and charismatic stage presence. Stewart's bandmates from Faces, Ronnie Wood and Ian McLagan, contributed to the album, along with other notable musicians like Keith Emerson, Micky Waller (from the Jeff Beck Group), and guitarists Martin Pugh and Martin Quittenton.
Despite modest initial commercial success, with a peak at No. 139 on the US Billboard 200 chart, "An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down" laid the foundation for Rod Stewart's solo career. The album's mix of original compositions and covers demonstrated Stewart's versatility and set the stage for his subsequent success as a solo artist.
Over time, the album has gained recognition as a classic in Stewart's catalog, appreciated for its raw energy, soulful performances, and the early glimpse it provided into Stewart's evolving musical style. It remains a significant release in the history of both Rod Stewart's solo career and the British rock scene of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
