A musical pivot that fractured a legendary rock band

Wars & Conflicts · Published 16 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1975, Rod Stewart released an album that would redefine his sound and end a core musical partnership. While it topped the UK charts, the shift from folk-soul to a studio-driven American style caused such friction that his longtime bandmates reportedly disliked the new direction entirely.

Released on August 15, 1975, Atlantic Crossing marked a significant departure for Rod Stewart. Moving away from the folk-soul fusion of his Mercury Records era, Stewart collaborated with producer Tom Dowd to record the album across five American studios, including Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and various locations in New York, Miami, and Hollywood. This shift saw him replace his core collaborators—including Ronnie Wood and Ian McLagan—with a rotating cast of session musicians like the Memphis Horns and Booker T. & the MG's. The production team included Tom Dowd, who had previously worked with many of Stewart's musical heroes. Recording took place between April and June 1975. The sessions utilized a diverse group of session players for various instruments.

The album's structure was influenced by Stewart's then-girlfriend, Swedish actress Britt Ekland, who suggested dividing the record into a 'fast side' and a 'slow side.' This format became a recurring signature for Stewart's subsequent releases. Even with its artistic shift, the record achieved massive sales, reaching the UK's top spot and hitting ninth on the Billboard Top Pop Albums list. It featured enduring hits like 'Sailing' and 'I Don't Want to Talk About It.' The album's art direction was handled by John Kosh, with Peter Lloyd providing the illustration. It was eventually reissued as a two-disc set in 2009. The track 'Sailing' later served as a theme for a BBC series.

However, the artistic evolution came at a social cost. Stewart's core musical circle heavily disliked the new direction. During The Faces' final US tour in autumn 1975, the group performed only one song from the new record, 'Three Time Loser.' This friction eventually culminated in Stewart announcing his exit from The Faces by the end of 1975, following his move to the United States. The record featured a double A-side single in 1977 that reached the top of the UK charts. This release included a track from his 1976 album. Stewart's career actually began with Jeff Beck's Truth in 1968.

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