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For a man who’s been singing since the sixties, age refuses to stop British Rockstar, Rod Stewart, from offering an electrifying performance. His status as a legendary musician is backed up by generations of fans, millions in sales, and a catalog of identifiable classics. Today, he performs with a band of thirteen, including Joanne Harper, Holly Brewer, Becca Kotte, Emerson Swinford, Curt Schneider, Julia Thornton, Chandra Meibalane, Ryan Lucas, J’Anna Jacoby Harrold, Dean Cox, Kevin Savigar, and Jimmy Roberts.
Newcomers to Agua Caliente Casino’s “The Show” are welcomed with enthusiasm and warmth. Ushers were eager to express their love for the venue, with one sharing it was her favorite place to see a concert. Her words rang true. There wasn’t a bad seat in the theater, and the sound system was of exquisite quality. Whether casino-goers arrive for a good show, or to play games till morning, they’re bound to strike gold.
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The lights dimmed, cheering began, and the curtains pulled back. People rushed to their feet as soon as Stewart appeared on stage, singing the first song of the show, “Infatuation.” All thirteen musicians were attired in outfits of a polka-dotted, black and white theme, and the trio of backing vocalists had elaborate choreography. Against a backdrop of stylistic visuals, Stewart danced about with a microphone in hand.
“Good evening everybody, welcome! It’s Saturday night, let’s have some fun!” Stewart said. During the next piece, “Having a Party,” the female vocalists stood in line to dance, and provide percussion. Roberts and Savigar had opportunities to shine through their solos. Their combined efforts undoubtedly paid off. Stewart reminded the audience they were there for two hours, which meant they had to keep the energy high. “This song is called ‘Love Train.’ This is what we all need, show some love!” Stewart encouraged. For those standing in the front row, closest to the stage, Stewart waved and blew kisses to them directly.
“I’ve never played in Palm Springs before, as far as I know,” Stewart mentioned, “unless it was back in the early seventies, but I can’t remember at all. I’m going to enjoy tonight. It’s not often we get to play intimate, small theater. This is small, intimate, and we love it.” Stewart’s been entwined with the music business for a long time, meaning he has hundreds of songs to choose from for performances. For this show, he opted to pay homage to one of his heroes, Muddy Waters, by singing “Rollin’ and Tumblin’.”
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A notable amount of people cheered, and sat up, for a harmonious interpretation of “Forever Young.” It was worth the price of admission to see the thirteen multi-talented musicians juggle between roles with smiles on their faces. There was an unforeseen mashup too, incorporating “Scotland The Brave” into the song. The girls on stage were seen Celtic dancing, playing violins, or playing a marching band drum with “The Celtic Football Club” inscribed on the side. They were splendid, thriving against a growing tempo.
Stewart reappeared after the girls’ solo, wearing a new jacket. “This is from Zara, thirty dollars last year. None of that Dolce Gabbana for me,” he laughed. The man could extend his leg, or bend an elbow, and the crowd would still cheer for him. Before the next song of the lineup, Stewart paused to clear his throat, and joked about how difficult it is for musicians to perform in the hot air when it kills their vocal chords.
“I was in a band called ‘The Faces,’ in the early seventies,” he mentioned, “all a bunch of drunkards, they were mate, I tell ya. There’s only three of us left now.” He dedicated “Stay With Me” to the two faces on the roof. Stewart was always hyping his fellow band members, and they all collectively carried the show. Stewart sang a piece that used to be performed by the band’s bassist, Ronnie Lane, titled “Ooo La La.” Roberts, who played the saxophone, was unspeakably impressive throughout the entire performance.
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“It’s very nice here,” Stewart said, still in disbelief over performing in Palm Springs for the first time. He sang two songs from his time with “The Faces,” then another two from his album, “Every Picture Tells A Story.” He spoke about how “The Temptations” were always a big influence on him. That the lead singer, David Ruffin, used to go to Detroit to play with “The Faces,” specifically to sing “Losing You.” Many of the songs that Stewart performed that night, were each in dedication to friends who have passed away.
“Maggie Mae,” one of his most distinctive pieces, was up next. It was inspired by his first experience with intimacy. “Most people here weren’t born when it was released,” he said, “I met this girl at a jazz festival, and I was only sixteen. I was a virgin, so I got in her tent. I only lasted twenty-three seconds.” Everyone inside the theater sprung to their feet, so much so that it was difficult to see the stage ahead.
When taking a drink, Stewart wished everyone good health, and thanked them again for coming out. A woman, somewhere in the audience, shouted out that she loved him. Stewart said that he loved her too. “This is a song from Christine McVie, from Fleetwood Mac. Give her a round of applause, she can hear you,” he said. Stewart heard this song on the radio during the sixties, when McVie was in a band called “Chicken Shack,” and knew he had to record it too. Four years later, he did. It was “Rather Go Blind.” The night continued on with songs like “Young Turks,” “Downtown Train,” and “I’m So Excited.”
“This is a serious moment. I want to dedicate this song to the Ukrainians, and their armies, and their fight against the evil Putin. This happens to be the color of their flag–terrible war. I hope that your government would consider always backing the Ukrainians,” Stewart said, now attired in a suit of blue and yellow. As he sang “Rhythm of My Heart,” photographs displaying the devastation were projected behind him. Most included the county’s flag, gravestones, soldiers walking through the rubble of dilapidated buildings, and Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Stewart saluted Zelenskyy’s photo, right as the song concluded.
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“First Cut” began with a beautiful harp solo from Thorton, then added Meibalane and Jacoby Harrold on the violins. “This is one of the best love songs within the modern era, from Van Morrison. I think mine is far superior,” Stewart said in jest, earning a laugh from the audience. “Have I Told You Lately,” was the most romantic song of the show. Many couples were seen leaning their heads on each other’s shoulders. Harper, Brewer, and Kotte, sang “Lady Marmalade.” Now dressed in shimmering black dresses, and long gloves, they brought the attitude that the song demanded. Stewart returned, also attired in black, to sing Tina Turner’s “It Takes 2.” Once again, the girls brought great coordination, and pitch-perfect harmonies.
After the finale, “Some Guys,” the audience held out for an encore and were rewarded with the curtain drawing back. The girls tossed soccer balls into the audience, accompanying Stewart with the final song of the night, “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” Stewart enthusiastically thanked everyone for coming to the show. “Great show, great crowd, great everything! Good night!” he said, waving goodbye. His upcoming shows across North America, and newly released collaborations, can each be found at https://rodstewart.com/.