Today, 20 July 2025, marks what would have been the 87th birthday of Ian Stewart, affectionately known as “Stu,” the unsung hero and second Rolling Stone, whose legacy shines brightly despite his passing in 1985. Born in 1938 in Pilton, Scotland, Stu’s pivotal role as the band’s original pianist and road manager is celebrated this year with a special highlight: his unique connection to Led Zeppelin. As the only guest musician to appear on two of their albums, Stu’s contributions to “Rock and Roll” on *Led Zeppelin IV* (1971) and “Boogie with Stu” on *Physical Graffiti* (1975)—the latter a playful tribute co-written with the band—underscore his understated influence. This milestone offers fans a chance to honour a figure whose musical footprint spanned rock’s greatest acts.
Stu’s involvement with Led Zeppelin reveals lesser-known gems that spice up his story. Did you know he served as assistant engineer during the *Led Zeppelin IV* sessions at Headley Grange, using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, where his boogie-woogie piano added infectious energy to “Rock and Roll”? Or that “Boogie with Stu,” recorded during those same sessions, was a spontaneous jam inspired by Ritchie Valens’ “Ooh My Head,” with Stu co-credited alongside Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Bonham? His presence marks him as one of only three guest musicians in Zeppelin’s discography—alongside Viram Jasani’s tabla on “Black Mountain Side” and Sandy Denny’s duet on “The Battle of Evermore”—making his dual appearance a rare honour, despite uncredited strings and brass on “Kashmir.” These details highlight his quiet versatility behind the scenes.
Stu’s legacy bridges the Stones and Zeppelin, two pillars of rock, yet his role often went unnoticed. Kicked out of the Stones’ lineup in 1963 for not fitting their image—despite co-writing “Honky Tonk Women”—he remained their backbone, engineering sessions and inspiring camaraderie. His Led Zeppelin collaborations, born from a shared respect with Page and Plant during informal jams, reflect a mutual admiration, with “Boogie with Stu” named in his honour as a nod to their friendship. Though he passed in 1985 from a heart attack at 47, his influence endures, with the Stones dedicating *Dirty Work* to him and Zeppelin fans revisiting his contributions on this birthday.
For UK fans tuning into BBC archives or streaming Zeppelin classics, Stu’s 87th birthday is a poignant celebration of his dual legacy. Living in London until his death, his spirit lives on through reissues and tributes, with the Stones’ 2022 *GRRR Live* nod and Zeppelin’s 2015 remasters keeping his piano alive. From Pilton’s modest beginnings to rocking Headley Grange, Stu’s story—marked by his uncredited genius and cross-band bonds—invites a toast to a man who shaped rock’s golden era. As fans raise a glass, his unique place in music history, from the Stones’ rhythm to Zeppelin’s riffs, shines brighter than ever on this milestone day.
