Main photo thanks to NVstarrs Tickets & Tours that was taken when Rod popped by the Forum Shop concierge desk NVstarrs told SMILER “Rod was wonderful to meet and a true gentleman. It was a treat”
Electric Shop Recording Studio
This week started with the band back in The Electric Shop Recording Studio in Vegas
And the studio team saying ‘Emerson Swinford brought such incredible energy with them to our space. I feel like it stays in the studio forever.
Seeing Rod strum my late step dads Gibson Hummingbird was a really special moment’.
The Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace
On Saturday the band were back on stage with Rod seeming much better and free of the sinus infection Travis Perrin and Adrian Sherlock were at the show and got some fantastic photos and here are the thoughts of Martin Heidt
From Vegas via Phoenix to the Hollywood BowlWith the fourth of what were originally six planned shows at Caesars Palace, Sir Rod Stewart brought this year’s first Las Vegas run to a close last Saturday, delivering yet another spectacular performance. Two concerts had to be cancelled at the end of May due to illness, but he has now recovered and has been in absolutely top form over the past few days.
The 81-year-old Briton once again shook up his setlist at the Colosseum. This time, his 1980s song “Infatuation” was chosen as the opener, and “It’s A Heartache”, “I Don’t Want To Talk About It”, “I’m Losing You”, “Twistin’ The Night Away”, “Mandolin Wind” and “Young Turks” also returned to the setlist for what is, for the time being, his final evening at the Colosseum. In August, Sir Rod will return to Sin City once more, likely for the last time, for six further performances.
Silke Mock, who attended the four most recent Vegas concerts, summed up the Colosseum run: “Apart from the two cancellations, they were brilliant days. You could tell from the first concert that Rod wasn’t feeling his best, so the cancellations didn’t come as a complete surprise. Even though it was naturally annoying that two concerts were cancelled. But after the enforced break, he was back to his old self, the performance was top-notch and his voice was powerful. The special highlight was, of course, ‘Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay’ as the opener on two occasions. I never would have expected to be able to experience the song live again.”
Charlene Flynn Scher, Riva Scher and Genna S. Smith were also at the show and Charlene got some photos and also caught a football and said “The lady behind me told her husband “You need to get me that ball! Dive if you have to!” So I was like not touching that one. The ball flew over my head to the right. But then somehow it got bounced back, hit Genna’s drink and landed at my feet. Was going to give it to the grandkids until I saw it was signed”.
Chris Demonbreun has been filling in mixing duties for his friend Jonny Williams for a few shows. Chris said “It was fun mixing for Sir Rod Stewart and his amazing band. I still love being a Systems Engineer more, but it was fun to mix for a minute”.
Rod met MuzicHealz MySoul and Shéron Livingston-Moore.
Set list
Infatuation
Young Turks
Ooh La La
Stay With Me
I’m Losing You
The First Cut Is The Deepest
I Don’t Want To Talk About It
Forever Young
Maggie May
Mandolin Wind
It’s A Heartache
Jolene (Band only)
Rhythm Of My Heart
People Get Ready
Proud Mary (Band only)
It Takes Two
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy
Love Train
Mortgage Matchup Center Phoenix
On Monday the tour arrived in Phoenix with special guest Richard Marx
SMILER photographer Roland Macher was on hand to get some superb shots from the evening and here is a short review from Martin Heidt
From Las Vegas, the Stewart entourage travelled on to Phoenix, where the next show of the North American tour was scheduled to take place at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Sir Rod was accompanied by his mate Richard Marx, who opened the evening with a seven-song set. Naturally, his hits “Endless Summer Nights”, “Angelica” and “Right Here Waiting” were all included.
Stewart then took to the stage and once again delivered a show of the highest calibre. Hit after hit, witty banter that put a smile on the audience’s faces, and an energetic performance – what more could a Rod Stewart fan possibly want?
The setlist was almost unchanged from his last performance in Las Vegas. “I Don’t Want To Talk About It” was replaced by the Simply Red hit “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”, and “The Killing Of Georgie” took the place of the song in support of Ukraine, “Rhythm Of My Heart”.
Set List
Infatuation
Some Guys Have All The Luck
Tonight I’m Yours
It’s A Heartache
Ooh La La
Stay With Me
The First Cut Is The Deepest
Tonight’s The Night
Forever Young
I’m Losing You
Mandolin Wind
Maggie May
I’d Rather Go Blind
Young Turks
Jolene (Band only)
People Get Ready
If You Don’t Know Me By Now
The Killing Of Georgie
Have I Told You Lately
Proud Mary (Band only)
Hot Legs
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy
Love Train
Hollywood Bowl
On Wednesday it was the big Hollywood Bowl date with Richard Marx supporting again due to the Hollywood Bowl layout it wasn’t the easiest venue to get good pictures but Steven Daniels and Roland Macher got some absolutely stunning shots and here are the thoughts of Martin Heidt
On Wednesday, it was time to say, “Welcome to the Hollywood Bowl”. In Los Angeles, where Rod Stewart has called home for many years, it was a very special performance. Drummer David Palmer remarked: “J’anna and I have played at this venue so many times with Sir Rod, but yesterday it felt more magical than ever. Just the thought that this was our last Bowl performance together stirred up some very special emotions”.
17,500 people had made their way to the Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday, including Rod’s former saxophonist Katja Rieckermann, who lives in Los Angeles and took the opportunity to visit her former boss Rod and his bandmates on her doorstep. “It was a great show, Rod’s still got it,” the North German later wrote on her Instagram channel.
For her and the rest of the audience, however, Stewart had some bad news: “This is my last performance here,” the 81-year-old told the fans. “So let’s have a great party tonight.”
No sooner said than done. Like a little live wire, the singer then hopped and danced across the stage, treating the audience to 25 songs from his magnificent career. These included classics such as “Rhythm Of My Heart”, “Have I Told You Lately” and – of course – “Maggie May”, the song that essentially started it all. “Forever Young”, “Young Turks” and “Some Guys Have All The Luck” were also on the set list that evening, during which Rod once again put to rest a rumour spread by his critics, who suspected he was taking a nap during his five costume changes: “Rest? I’ll tell you, I can run 100 metres in 19 seconds!” These outfit changes included countless retro-style sequinned coats, including a leopard-print coat at the start of the show, culminating in his red suit from the 1980s.
“So, I’m wearing a red suit now,” Stewart called out to the crowd, who had been singing along enthusiastically all evening. “Men my age should know better. But I don’t give a damn.” Thunderous applause, a thousand cheers and plenty of laughter were guaranteed.
The news portal “Deadline” described Rod as the “king of soulful, raw vocals”. And he proved, not least with “I’d Rather Go Blind”, that this isn’t just a cliché, but simply the plain truth.
Which song on Wednesday epitomised a journey through time in Stewart’s music? “Some Guys Have All the Luck”? He played this 80s classic quite early on in the Bowl show (sometimes it’s played towards the end at other venues). Or was it his opener, the sexy, noir-style “Infatuation” from 1984, which had everyone on their feet? So many hits! Yet when Stewart delved into the Faces section of the show, with his poignant rendition of “Ohh La La” and the classic line “I wish that I knew what I know now/When I was younger”, it really tugged at the heartstrings because his singing was so authentic. Before that song and “Stay With Me”, Stewart joked that he was still working on a Faces album, due to be released in twelve years’ time.
Set List
Infatuation
Havein A Party
This Old Heart Of Mine
It’s A Heartache
Tonight I’m Yours
If You Don’t Know Me By Now
Some Guys Have All The Luck
Forever Young
The First Cut Is The Deepest
Tonight’s The Night
Ooh La La
Stay With Me
I’m Losing You
Mandolin Wind
Maggie May
I’d Rather Go Blind
Young Turks
Rhythm Of My Heart
Jolene (Band only)
People Get Ready
Have I Told You Lately
Proud Mary (Band only)
Hot Legs
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy
Love Train
This week’s Ron Art
Not Rod this week but a fabulous portrait of Ronnie Wood by Boston artist Brian Cleary painted in Acrylic on canvas 12in x 12in. Brushwork, brayer, palette knife.
Brian told SMILER this week ” Last year I found a photo reference I really liked of Ronnie Wood and I wanted to paint his portrait for his birthday. He truly has one of the best hair styles in rock and roll and this particular photo captured that along with a cool profile of his face. I’ve painted all the other members of Rolling Stones except for Bill Wyman and Brian Jones but I’ll get to them eventually, I’ll definitely get a painting of Rod Stewart done this year!”
To see more work by Brian go to http://www.artofbriancleary.com/gallery/ or https://www.instagram.com/artofbriancleary/
And while we are on the subject of Ronnie ..
Dexy’s Midnight Runners Kevin Rowland is on a book tour to promote his book ‘Bless Me Father’ talking about his solo album The Wanderer he says..
“I tried to make the songs as commercial as possible. They ended up on a solo album called The Wanderer. Before I started the recording, I went to a London hotel to meet Bobby Womack. I think it was Helen who had told me he was in town – we were both massive Womack fans– and I asked my record label to track him down for me with a view to him producing the album. I met with Bobby. The production thing didn’t materialise – but while I was in the hotel room, Ronnie Wood turned up. Bobby played him, and a few other people who were there, a couple of my songs. I was feeling quite exposed – but Ronnie really liked one song in particular, Tonight. He had his acoustic guitar with him and played along with the song, adding some really nice touches. Then he said, he really like to be in the studio when it’s recorded. I just nervously mumbled something. Ronnie Wood wanted to play on one of my songs! The guy who wrote and played those incredible riffs on You Can Make Me Dance, Sing Or Anything and Stay With Me. He was, and is, a brilliant guitarist. Now he was offering to play on my record! I should have jumped at the chance. I guess I was too nervous in the presence of a musical figure of his stature – and just froze”
Kevin also recorded a great version of the Stewart /Wood song ‘You Wear It Well’ on his ‘Let The Record Show: Dexys Do Irish And Country Soul’ in 2016
Vagabond Heart Expanded Edition
Exciting news about Rod’s 1991 album Vagabond Heart
Friday Music are releasing Vagabond Heart Expanded Edition on July 7th
The special edition will be available in Gray, White & Black Splatter vinyl and Ruby Red Smoke Swirl and also a Metallic Gold Swirl vinyl it will also feature Bonus Tracks
For his sixteenth smash hit album, Rod Stewart delivered a major home run with “Vagabond Heart.” Produced by Sir Rod and his friends like Trevor Horn (Yes), Patrick Leonard (Madonna) and RIchard Perry (Carly Simon/Ringo Starr) , the superstar and his masterwork are often sited as one of his finest albums in his amazing catalog of popular recordings.
The success of the album is obviously in the grooves, as you will hear all the big smash hits like “Rhythm Of My Heart” “It Takes Two” with Tina Turner, “The Motown Song” with The Temptations, “Broken Arrow” and a stunning rendition of the classic “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You.”
The greatness continues with even more greats like the power ballad “If Only” and a tribute to the Philly sound with The Stylistics jam “You Are Everything”
Friday Music is very pleased to announce the first time ever 35th Anniversary vinyl release of the Rod Stewart’s “Vagabond Heart-The Expanded Edition.” Produced by Rod Stewart and Mastered impeccably by long time reissue producer Joe Reagoso, this LP will also be pressed on first time ever stunning Ruby Red Smoke Swirl vinyl and stunning hand poured effect Gray, White & Black Splatter viny.
To further celebrate 35 years of your Rod Stewart experience, we are also including a 4 super rare first time vinyl bonus tracks “Sweet Soul Music (Live)” “Rebel Heart (Early Version) Somebody To Hold, and a brilliant take of his big hit of Tom Waits “Downtown Train (Early Version).
We are also including a first time ever gatefold cover, to further enhance your Rod Stewart listening enjoyment.
Tracks:
SIDE 1
- Rhythm Of My Heart
- Rebel Heart
- Broken Arrow
- It Takes Two – Rod Stewart & Tina Turner
SIDE 2
- When A Man’s In Love
- You Are Everything
- The Motown Song – Rod Stewart & The Temptations
- Go Out Dancing
DISC 2
SIDE 3
- No Holding Back
- Have I Told You Lately
- Moment Of Glory
- If Only
SIDE 4
- Sweet Soul Music
- Downtown Train (Early Version)
- Rebel Heart (Early Version)
- Somebody To Hold
Label: Friday Music
To pre order go to https://fridaymusic.com/collections/pre-order-1/products/rod-stewart-vagabond-heart-expanded-edition-bonus-tracks-ruby-red-smoke-swirl-vinyl-lp-pre-order-7-10-26
And Finally…
Anyone attending North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre tonight, Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Monday, Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Tuesday or Parque Urbano do Tejo e do Trancão in Potugal on Thursday please send in any photos like this excellent Vegas shot from Sherry Rebecca Parton.
And as World Cup fever kicks in look at this photo taken by Christopher Mcsween at Rod’s Hollywood bowl show ..It must be an omen for Scotland on Sunday!
See you next week….