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Rod McKuen Rod McKuen is known for his poetry and songs that expressed a bittersweet, aching tenderness towards life. And that poetry has endeared him to his millions of fans. During the late 1960's and early 70's Rod was arguably the most popular poet in the United States. His songs have been recorded by over 500 artists, and he himself produced more than 200 albums.

Rod was born in a Salvation Army hospital in Oakland California in 1933 during the great depression. Brutal abuse caused him to run away from his family, forcing him, at the tender age of 11 to earn his own living by doing a variety of laborer's jobs. Given these set of circumstances, Rod could have grown up to be a bitter angry man, instead he found within himself a poets soul. Although critics often criticized his work as being coy and trite, McKuens poetry and songs are very accessible to the average reader.

In 1960 Frank Sinatra commissioned McKuen to write an entire album of songs for him to record. Aside of Frank Sinatra, many other artist such as Glen Campbell, Dusty Springfield and Johnny Mathis have recorded his songs.

McKuen has used his fame to support various causes, not only has he be an outspoken peace activist, he is also credited with coining the phrase, "Make love not war" and he has also been a long time supporter of the gay rights movement.

Though Rod is very guarded about his private life, when asked if he is married, his standard response is "I have no legal certificate that says I am, but, let's just say I'm committed." And one of his signature lines is, "It doesn't matter who you love, or how you love, but that you love."

Though Rod withdrew from public life in the 1980's due to a diagnosis of clinical depression he still continues to write poetry and songs as well as remaining active in a number of charitable organizations, especially those dedicated to fighting AIDS and child abuse.

Rod lives in Southern California with his brother and 4 cats.