Rocker Rod Stewart, Son Facing Battery Charges In Florida

PALM BEACH, FL — Legendary rocker Rod Stewart and his 39-year-old son are facing battery charges in Florida after allegedly punching and pushing a security guard who refused to allow the singer's family into a private event on New Year's Eve at the iconic Breakers Palm Beach Hotel.

The younger Stewart allegedly first pushed the guard before his famous dad delivered a punch to the security guard's left rib cage area, according to court documents, which identified the guard as Jessie Dixon of Boynton Beach, Florida.

"Dixon observed a group of people near the check-in table of the private event who were trying to enter the area but were unauthorized to do so," court documents said. "The group began to get loud and cause a scene and refused to follow his instructions to leave."

The singer, who will celebrate his 75th birthday on Jan. 10, is known for classic rock hits like "The First Cut Is the Deepest," "You Wear It Well," "Tonight's the Night," "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and "Maggie May" among many others.

Court documents said Stewart's son, Sean, got about "nose to nose" distance from the security guard's face.

"Dixon stated he put the back of his right hand on S. Stewart's chest and informed him he needed to back up and create some space," court documents said. "S. Stewart then shoved him backward."

That's when the 74-year-old singer allegedly stepped toward Dixon and threw a punch with a closed fist "as Dixon regained his footing," according to court documents.

Two Breakers' employees witnessed the altercation and backed up the security guard's account.

A Palm Beach police officer reviewed video of the incident and identified Stewart and his son as the "primary agressors."

Stewart and his son have been ordered to appear at the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Complex on Feb. 5.