SMILER member Donna Savoie has sent us exclusive pictures from Rod’s Sacramento and San Jose concerts
Another SMILER member Cara Marie Anne Trombino reviews Rod’s concert from August 1st in las vegas.
Well as I write this review all I can say is seeing Rod in Vegas what can be better than this. Seeing and meeting new friends and seeing old friends along with some surprises it just doesn’t get any better. Here is my great review of Rod’s concert in las Vegas. ENJOY!
Mom and I went to Suzi’s pre party at her time share at 5:00pm. There were only a few people there by the time we arrived. We met Yve and her husband Brian that flew in from the U.K.. (Its their first time in the states) Craig, Suzi’s husband and Marlie and her brother Neal. Suzi was playing Rod’s album Vagabond Heart throughout the party. Also at the party was Lesley Clayton, a few of her friends she invited from the U.K. and Barbra Burke,Jill Berg,and Moe and her husband. It was a real pleasure meeting everyone for the first time. Cool thing was we all got to leave together in a Hummer limo to go to the MGM Grand to pick up our tickets. I was really nervous when we were about to pick up our tickets because ever since in 2007 when our seats were in the loge. When mom and I received our tickets at will call we were in Section C Row A Seats 5 & 6! We couldn’t believe it! I was very happy that security allowed me in with my sign. I made a sign dedicated to Rita. I put 3 pictures on it Pic of Rod with Rita,Rita in her airbrush Rod jacket,and myself with Rita from may 07 when Rod handed me my first soccer ball in Uniondale NY May 07. The sign had big black words that said Rita Always In our Hearts. Before the show mom and I put special messages for Rod to see our thoughts about Rita and how much she meant to us.
Mom and I went into the venue and took our seats and I was surprised to see Amy with her garnd daughter next to us! I haven’t seen them since Uniondale in 07! Rod opened with an opening act which disappointed me because they take up a lot of his concert time. It wasnt Josh Kelly this time it was a group called The kin. they were 3 young boys from Austrilia. I thought they were good but I and I’m sure many of you agree to just prefer only Rod an no one else! After the kin were over. I went looking around for friends that weren’t at Suzi’s party. I saw Bonnie,Sharon,Lucielle,Karin,Theresa Moulton,Theresa Bryant,Beth Walsh,Lanette. I also went around looking for Mike Gregor who ive been dying to meet for a long time but I couldn’t find him. As the intermission was ending they started to play a Celtic song on the speakers. I don’t know the name of it. It wasn’t “You’ll Never Walk Alone” It was a song I don’t know. They opened with the Rodinator like last year and as soon as Rod comes out everyone is immeditantly on their feet! He opened with Some Guys Have All the Luck followed by Its A Heartache. First Cut Is The Deepest was next. This Old Heart Of Mine and Tonights the Night were next. When Rod sang Tonights The Night FINALLY IN YEARS MOM AND I WERE FINALLY ON CAMERA! Next was Havin’ A Party. Now you think being in vegas the audience wouldn’t be enthustiastic but these were real Rod fans! Everyone was on their feet havin a blast. Everyone should at Rod’s concerts. Next was Downtown Train. David Plamer and Matt O Connor did their usual cool drum solos. Next was Your In My Heart. I held up my Celtic flag for this one but Rod didn’t see it or acknowledge it sadly. I hope someday he does see it and acknowledge it. Next came an awesome surprise for the first time I got to see Ruby perform Live! I knew she performed on stage back in 2004 but I wasn’t a fan at the time. I was so happy to get to se her perform now! She sang Son of A preacher Man and Rescue me. Rod came out with flowers for her and kissed her on the cheek. I can tell how proud Rod is of Ruby. Next Rod sang Broken Arrow! I was very happy to hear him sing this one because I only got to see him sing it live on the Vagabond Heart DVD I have from LA from feb 92. Next was Sweet Little Rock N Roller followed by twistin the Night Away. One of these numbers Rod sees my sign dedicated to Rita and smiles at it. Next was Rhythm of My Heart. At the end Rod was trying to think of a word to desribe Bridget,Di,and Natasha he called them triplets but realizes triplets are 3 babies then the right word comes to his mind Trio. Next was Have I Told You lately followed by Proud Mary. I really enjoyed this one! Bridget was walking around a lot and J’anna got to sing a long too which was fun to watch!! The band did a great job with this! Next Rod sang a sneak peak of Love Train which will be on his upcoming Soul Album. I can’t wait to buy this album! Next Rod shows us a video from you tube of a dog sleep walking then bangs his head into the wall and then Rod goes “and heres a picture of me drunk!” Showing us the infamous picture of him in the high heels and white nurses outfit! This means nothing other than Hot Legs is next! Rod is kicking out soccer balls and inflatable ones too! I’m yelling out waving my arms “Rod! Rod!” trying to get his attention and he tosses me my 3rd ball! I almost fell backward as I caught it but a nice woman caught me! (Thanks!!) Next was Young Turks followed by Have you Ever Seen the Rain. Before Maggie May starts (which was the final song of the evening) Rod comments on the recession & money being tight and he thanked everyone for coming out and spending the money. “May the good Lord be with You” I go “And also with you!” As Rod is singing Maggie May I see Theresa down at the other end trying to give Rod something but she couldnt reach it because the barricade was too far away from the stage so she was trying to get a guard from behind to hand it to Rod. I couldn’t tell what he was saying to her but I’m syre Theresa will explain it in her review. Anyway Rod sees this and insists the guy hand it to him from her so he does and Rod is very thankful and is interacting with Theresa! He then tosses her her 7th ball!! (WTG GIRL!) When Rod comes over to me I held up my sign again and he sees it and blows me a kiss! I was a little disappointed that he didn’t sing Da Ya Think I’m Sexy. Oh BTW remember last yr when he had the dancers at the left and right end of the stage for Hot legs and DYTIS they werent there this year.
Now for the surprises In my section was none other than Steve Tyrell! I introduced myself to him. I said I was his friend on Facebook and how much I enjoyed the songbook albums and I couldn’t wait to buy the Soul album. He was very nice! Also mom and I wanted to give my sign to Rod. We bumped into Peter, Rod’s bodyguard and he told us to give it to Patrick. Mom and I gave it to Patrick and he said he was going to give it to Rod and he said he should get it in a day or so. (I hope he does get it. I also put my name,address,and phone numbers on there too) Before mom and I left we see a lot of people wearing passes on their neck! I wish I knew how to get a pass. I really hope someday I get to meet Rod!
As mom and I were heading back to the monorail to go back to our hotel we see J’anna Jacoby! Earlier in the day I went to the MGM around 2:00 or 3:00 hoping to bump into some of the band. I didn’t see any of them but now It made up for it!! Mom and I get my pic taken with her and chatted with her for a bit. She was so sweet and lovely! She said she saw me in the front row and spotted me on the screen when they showed me! I also told her I was on her facebook page and when I se you all the time on stage you are always so happy and having a good time!
This was an awesome concert full of surprises and great people that i got to meet! I know someday ill get to meet Rod and take my pic with him. I just have to keep looking forward and to never give up!
Finally Thanks to Lotus Donovan and David Reddy and everyone at Stiefel Ent. Thanks so much for your help on giving mom and I the best bseats in the house and to everyone else on Smiler!!!
Thank you all and like Rod says May the Good lord be with you! I Hope Rod comes to the east coast again and hope to see you all again in 2010! =)
