Gavin Rossdale on Fatherhood: It's Terrifying and Brilliant

By Danielle Dubin

He's married to Gwen Stefani and has a solo album out – and baby No. 2 on the way – but none of that is going to Gavin Rossdale's head.

"You have to relinquish all self-importance," the British rocker, 42, tells PEOPLE of life as a dad. "It's not a bad thing. You don't have time to think about yourself. I used to wallow in introspection. I don't have time to be that guy now."

And it's not likely he will have extra time soon. The father to Kingston, who recently turned 2, is kicking off a solo career with this month’s release of Wanderlust, and Rossdale’s wife of six years, Stefani, 38, is expecting the couple's second child this summer.

Before becoming a dad, "I'd been around babies 12 minutes my entire life. I didn't read any books.

And we had friends of ours who were like, 'You guys re crazy, you've got to read books.'"

But, says Rossdale, "It's so natural you just fall into it and you find your way. It's terrifying and exciting and brilliant."

For more on Rossdale – including getting son Kingston ready for a sibling and balancing parenting with touring – pick up this week's PEOPLE.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20205057,00.html