Before the show Rod visited the 311 “Tomcats” and their Harrier aircraft at Gateway Aviation Services and the night ended up having a military theme
During Rod’s set at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix on Friday, August 24 Rod once again opened with his 1984 rocker ‘Infatuation’ and as usual stunned the crowd with the tour stalwarts ‘Having a Party’ , ‘Some Guys Have All the Luck’, ‘Tonight’s the Night’ and ‘This Old Heart of Mine’ That was dedicated to Aretha Franklin
Rod telling the audience “We’re going to sweat for you tonight,”
One of the highlights for the Phoenix crowd was the duet with Cyndi lauper on ‘It Takes Two’ that seems to work perfectly and get the crowds dancing in the isles wherever they have played it
‘Forever Young’ ‘You Wear it Well’ ‘I’d Rather Go Blind,’ ‘Young Turks’, The anthem ‘Maggie May’ and ‘Rhythm of My Heart’ followed the later was dedicated to Arizona’s Senator John McCain, who had just announced his decision to stop treatment for brain cancer earlier in the day.
Rod did his usual please sit down speech adding “Singing is good for the heart and the soul and the lungs, ladies and gentlemen. With that thought in mind, I’d like to invite you to sing along.” The crowd joined in for a sing-Along with ‘You’re in my Heart’, ‘The First Cut is the Deepest’ and ‘Have I Told You Lately’
The girls sang their fantastic version of ‘Nutbush City Limits’ The crowd tried to catch a signed football to take home as Rod sang ‘Stay With Me’ and Rod gave Phoenix like the rest of his US fans on this tour a stirring version of ‘Sailing’ after they had all danced like crazy catching and popping balloons in the Rod disco to ‘ Da Ya Think I’m Sexy’.
Review By Peter Salt
Photos Talking Stick Resort Arena /Gateway Aviation Services
