Lucky For Some

After a few months of (hopefully ) rest and relaxation, Rod Stewart returned to Caesar’s Palace on May 13, 2022 for his residency before his summer North American tour. The rest did him well, because Rod was in top form on Friday the 13th at Caesar’s Palace.

Surprising the crowd, he began the show with a fantastic rendition of Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love”. Those of us from the early MTV era appreciated that the singer and the band were sporting only black and white attire and blank facial presentation. What a way to start the show!

Those of us who were attendance at the show did not have the luxury of seeing Rod’s appearance on “Real Time With Bill Maher” that was filmed prior to the concert, but as Rod promised, it was a spectacular show, even though it was limited to 1 1/2 hours due to Caesar’s concert policy.

Rod followed his visually spectacular opening song with heartfelt renditions of “Ooh La La” and “You Wear it Well”, reminding us why we love the man so much. Despite calling the Caesar’s Palace version of Rod’s show “The Hits”, fortunately, he doesn’t limit his hits to the last 10 years.

Rod graciously presented the crowd with beautiful renditions of familiar radio classics such as “You’re In My Heart”, “Tonight’s the Night”, “Forever Young”, and (of course, “Maggie May”), but he also gifted us with “I Would Rather Go Blind” and a stirring take on the 1976 hit, “The Killing of Georgie”.

Throughout the years I have enjoyed the music and talent of all of Rod’s backup bands/vocalists, but I have to say that he has hit musical perfection with his current lineup. His backup singers are not only beautiful but incredibly talented, as they showed during renditions of “Call Me” and “Hot Stuff” while Rod was changing garb.

A humorous note during tonight’s show came when Rod realized that he still had the price tag hanging from his jacket as he sat down to perform a love song. Not wanting to be the Minnie Pearle of the 2020’s, Rod repeatedly asked for someone from wardrobe to come out and free him from the tag that was irritating him. Fortunately, the tag was removed and Rod continued the show. Rod, in that good old British way, also shared a joke with the crowd, asking “What do Rod Stewart and The Queen have in common? Both have had the same hairstyle for 60 years.” Again, what is not to love about this man?

For me, a particularly moving part of the show was when Rod was about to do the wonderful classic, “Rhythm of My Heart” and he announced that, although he typically dedicates this song to the troops, tonight he was dedicating this song to the people of Ukraine and those who support them, all while showing a Ukrainian flag in the background. A true humanitarian, it is evident through song and action that Rod is a voice of the people.

During tonight’s show Rod excited the crowd with classics such as “Young Turks”, “Have I Told You Lately”, “Some Guys Have All the Luck”, and “Infatuation”. Rod looked healthy and happy and was what everyone expected. Unfortunately, Caesar’s Palace limits shows to 90 minutes. As most of us Rod fans can attest to, 90 minutes doesn’t even scratch the surface.

Fortunately, Rod and band did a brilliant encore of “Sweet Little Rock and Roller”, dressed in Celtic jerseys to honor the football champs of 2022. As a lifelong Rod fan, it warms my heart to hear him do his fantastic cover of this Chuck Berry Classic, as it brings me back to the concerts of the 1970s and reminds me that neither Rod nor I have forgotten where true music began.

Review by Sue Walton

Photos by Sue Walton

Montage by Tommy Kevitt