The evening of August 3rd was long awaited and anticipated. It was warm and muggy outside, but one hot show was in store for us. We made our way to our front row seats as our excitement increased. I had seen Cyndi and Rod last year in New Jersey. I think she wasn’t feeling well, or perhaps it was my wanting to see Rod! Seems she was just going through the motions. This year, a completely different story. She was pumped and fantastic! Thoroughly enjoyed her set.
After a very brief turnaround time, there he was! Infatuation was the opener followed by Some Guys Have All The Luck. The band was smoking hot that night. Next song was You Wear It Well and then Having A Party. Rod’s voice was in fine tune throughout the entire show. Tonight’s The Night with lots of audience participation was wonderful. The next two songs are two of my loves. Lost In You has lyrics that grab me. “I wanna lay you out and kiss you all over I coming home real soon, be ready because when I do I’m gonna make love to you like fifteen men!” Just makes me melt. And Forever Young is just such an amazing song. He took a break to change clothes during this and we were treated to an amazing drum solo, and Irish step dancing,
Passion was his next song and then Rhythm Of My Heart. This anthem of a song is ageless and timeless! (Borrowed from You’re In My Heart). He then brought us back to his old friend Maggie May. Love J’Anna on this one. Her beautiful smile brightens my world!
It was then time to catch the Downtown Train. And catch it he did. Voice was pitch perfect. He laid on the stage and bicycled his legs during this. This was followed by The First Cut Is The Deepest which is another one that reaches my soul. Next was You’re In My Heart which always turns into a huge audience sing along.
Grace, ah sweet Grace. A tragically haunting real life ballad which brings me to tears. The song has been a history lesson for me. We were taught American history in school. Thank you Google! Have I Told You Lately was followed by the Girls and the Band with a rousing rendition of Nutbush City Limits. It was fun and funky!
Rod returned to the stage with Hot Legs and hot they were! Amazing how he still kicks those soccer balls! He saw our SMILER banner and tossed a ball to us. This is my second ball. The first was in 1999. Time to buy another soccer ball case!
Rod closed the show with Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? What kind of question is that! Of course we do! He encores with Enjoy Yourself. It was my one of my two disappointments of the night. He had been encoring with Sailing. I was so excited and really wanted him to sing it. I’ve only heard it at one other concert which was in Philadelphia in the early 1980’s. I was also looking forward to seeing Rod and Cyndi do a song together which didn’t happen.
It was an amazing evening filled with friends, an enthusiastic audience and Rod!!! I truly hope he remains Forever Young. To borrow a Tour title from 1994, it was a Night To Remember.
Review By Joan Walko
Photos By Joan Walko
Montage By Tommy Kevitt