Arrived in Vegas for the first of 5 shows, with the first on 7/27/13. Show was great, lots of energy, and Rod was in great form. Fans were packing the isles, everyone was up and dancing. Rod’s daughter Ruby came out on stage and belted out Chain of Fools. Rod performed “Every Picture Tells a Story”, the first time in Vegas he said, and he laughingly talked about the older fans knowing this song, even if the younger folks in the crowd didn’t. He noted that this was song that literally put him on the map. Rod also did a great rendition of “Killing of Georgie”, one of Jill’s favorites, and not one he tends to perform that often.
At one of the costume changes, Rod played a bit with the audience, hiding behind one of the curtains on the far right of the stage. He was in rare form, playful and talkative.
Soccer balls were kicked, included one up to the third balcony, and we caught the first ball of the trip as well. A solid show and a great start to our long vacation in Vegas.
Sunday show, 7/28, major difference. The crowd was very subdued, the whole front of the theatre seemed like people were just sitting in their seats, not engaged. Susan O., I think Katie (loyal regular from the front row in a Celtic shirt and tartan skirt], and Jill were the only people standing at multiple points throughout the show.
The Shot below shows nobody standing except Susan (yeah!) and no one is even at the edge of the stage.
Rod seemed to feed on this a bit, and didn’t move around as much, stayed more in the centre of the stage. He still did a great show, but it was hard given the low energy in the audience. Perhaps trying to shake things up, he went down and sat on the steps in the centre of the stage, and finally the crowd responded. There was a surge of people running up to listen as he sang.
More soccer balls were distributed, We luck out and are 2 for 2, with another ball caught.
Wednesday, a sad day. As folks waited to get in at 6:30, staff from Caesars came out and place the cancellation notices on at the front of the theatre. the picture below says it all. We talked to the security guards, and some people seemingly from Rod’s team, and the message was that he wasn’t feeling well, and per doctor’s orders, was told not perform. Everyone was very disappointed, including many folks that made the trip just for this show, and now had to wait and worry to see what Saturday would bring. While we may never know what truly happened, it did seem significantly less crowded in front of the theatre before the show, and even after the cancel signs went up, it wasn’t like 4500 fans came by and were turned away.
Nothing left to do but drive around the Strip, looking for the trucks that advertise the concert.