Last Night In Vegas

Last night [Sat] Rod Stewart wrapped up his 2022 Caesars Palace residency by putting on a spectacular show for a packed house. This was my 51st Rod Stewart concert and, as usual, I end up saying “This was his best show ever!”

Whenever someone asks how I can go to so many of Rod’s concerts, insinuating they would all be the same, I use the comparison to making love (or other colorful euphemisms). I say “That would be like me saying ‘You’ve made love before, why do you continue to do it?'”. The answer is simple, both are enjoyable, exciting, passion filled, and addictive!

Speaking of addictive, Rod opened his last 2022 Caesars show with the Robert Palmer classic “Addicted to Love”, with he and the band dressed in classic black and white, giving a cheeky nod to the 1980s MTV staple. Rod later channeled the music of his old mate by doing a rousing rendition of “Some Guys Have All the Luck” and adding that he had sung that song at every one of his 180 Caesars Palace shows.

Last night’s concert was every fan’s dream. It was filled with lively music, dancing, laughing, joking, audience participation, and a trip through the crowd by the man himself as he sang “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” It was everything a rock and roll show should be, and so much more.

An endearing moment occurred when Rod was singing “Maggie May” and a fan gave him a beautiful bouquet of flowers. He was so touched by the gesture and the beauty of the flowers that he admits he forgot the words to the song. Fortunately 4,1OO fans were more than willing to help him bring it home.

Before the show began I struck up a conversation with the usher in our area and asked if she was a Rod fan. She gave me a beautiful smile with a twinkle in her eye and told me how the first time she heard Rod Stewart was when she was a teen in the ’70s and heard “I Would Rather Go Blind” at a beach party in Ventura. When Rod soulfully belted out the Etta James hit, I made sure I made eye contact with my new friend Ritchie and for a split second I saw, not a 64 year old Coliseum staff, but a free spirit teenager at a beach side bonfire falling in love for the first time. Thanks to Rod Stewart we are all, truly, Forever Young.

The 9O minute show last night was over way too soon, but succeeded in filling our hearts and our souls. For me, the most spectacular part of the show was the encore. I was pleasantly surprised when Rod and the band gifted us with the most heartfelt version of “Sailing” I had ever heard. Between the amazing vocals, beautiful harmonies, and touching photo of Queen Elizabeth II (young and older) on the screen I doubt there was a dry eye in the house.

Review Sue Walton

Photos Sue Walton