Rock legend Rod Stewart says that family has always been important to him, but admits he’s changed the way he parents over the years. He is notoriously private about his family life.

However, a recent photo released by his wife Penny Lancaster shows Stewart enjoying a day on the beach with his four sons, an occasion that is rarely spotted by the public eye. The picture was taken in Malibu.

Stewart and Lancaster have two sons together – Aiden, age 7, and Alastair, age 12. Also in the picture were son Sean, age 38, from Stewart’s first marriage with Alana Stewart, and Liam, age 24, from his second marriage to Rachel Hunter.

In addition to the children in the photo, Stewart also has four daughters. Renee, age 26, who’s mother is Rachel Hunter; Ruby, age 31, who’s mother is model Kelly Emberg; Kimberly, age 39, who’s mother is Alana Stewart; and Sarah Streeter, age 55, who was raised by adoptive parents but has since reconnected with Stewart.

Stewart says being a father has always been important to him, although he missed a great deal of his kids growing up. But these days says he’s a much more hands on dad.

Be sure to share this rare photo and story with your family and friends. At least one of them is sure to be a Rod Stewart fan.