One Stop Boy Shop

“Oh the Rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum, with the words I Love You rolling off my tongue. Never will I roam for I know my place is home. Where the ocean meets the sky, Ill be sailing”

In my previous post, I’d claimed that this concert was a “once in a lifetime chance”. Little did I know that the concert would be SO awesome and the overpriced seats would be SO worth it, that I’m ready and looking forward to going to see him again.

As they did a stage makeover from the opening band “The Kin”, whom by the way are an Australian band and I enjoyed them very much. They are a group of very talented musicians, at least two of which are brothers. Anyway as they changed the stage over, to prepare for Rod, I could tell that I was in for a real treat. The black curtains and flooring were all hauled away and pulled up into the rafters, sheer white drapes dropped down in their place, the white glossy floor was polished to shine and a whole new world was built in just moments.

The tempo of the crowd and the anticipation that was in the air was palpable. I could feel my heart racing as I scanned back and forth across the stage just wanting that first glimpse. Then there he was, strutting onto stage in a sparkly bright blue dinner jacket, blue tie over a white dress shirt and golden shoes. He was looking handsome and seemed genuinely happy to be there doing what he does best.

We had just about front row seats to the far right of the stage. If he were someone who just stood center stage in front of the mike, we may have been disappointed, but oh no; Not Rod Stewart! The man still moves and groves and dances and hops all around. He’s so youthful that I’m frankly quite jealous. His energy, his talent and his charisma were all very apparent. He may be 34 years older than I am, but he is definitely in better shape!

Song, after song of favorites and I couldn’t help myself, I was standing in front of my seat, dancing and singing right along with him. I feel bad for the nice people seated right next to me. Their ears may have been hurting from my singing and screaming after the concert was over. Also I feel bad for those directly behind me who had a nice view of my shaking ummmm behind. It was magical and by far the best concert I’ve ever been to. He sang all of my favorites (with one exception, “Do you think I’m sexy”, I think there’s a legal issue with that one). I laughed, I cried and I danced for 2 straight hours with Rod. He’d come over to our side of the stage and appeared to look right at me. If I were a wimpy girl, I swear I would’ve swooned.

I believe that he did have some issues with the Houston heat. I think all of the sweat was causing him some difficulties with his ear pieces and there was one break that I suspect was not planned and it was to go back stage to fix his earpiece issue. He made some funny comments about it though saying “I don’t know why I bothered doing my hair, it’s HOT here!”. He’d remove layers of clothes and then disappear backstage to come out in yet another stunning Rod outfit. It crossed my mind, thinking he may have been going backstage and yelling at his promoters saying something like “What the hell were you thinking in booking me in HOUSTON at an outside venue in JULY!”.

The Woodlands venue, although very nice does nothing in the way of protecting you from the heat or the humidity. It is covered but it’s still outdoors and Houston is just by default hot and muggy. It can’t help it, it’s just the way it is.

Rod showed off his still amazing football (aka soccer) skills to us by kicking signed balls out into the audience. I’d guess at least thirty. He kicked them so high and so far that they came close to hitting the top of the pavilion and it was obvious he still had excellent control on where the target was intended for. I wanted one really bad, but alas, a tall man in front of me got the only one that came my way. My boys would’ve loved that soccer ball and I would’ve had to hide it from them so I guess things were as they should be. But I still wish I’d caught one! I would’ve treasured it forever.

After the encore of Maggie Mae (which made my night complete), my mother and I headed to our hotel.

That night I had a dream of Rod. In my dream I was in a concession line and he poked his head around the corner trying to get the attention of one of the cashiers… I asked him, “were you wanting some wine?” and he said “Yes thank you, my normal please” and I told him I’d get it. The girl behind the counter added his wine to my water bill and the total was $199. I thought to myself (in my dream) “Uh Oh, Robert is going to kill me….. LOL.

After I sat down at the table with his wine, he came over and joined me and we talked a bit. We chatted about his 4 year old son Alistair and my boys and he signed my program and thanked me for the wine. Ahhhhhhhh some dreams do come true and that concert in and of itself was a dream come true.

Thank you Rod Stewart for such a magical evening!

Here are photos I took, unfortunately I didn’t have a “real” camera with me and had to use my cell phone.