Rod Stewart

I fulfilled one of my childhood dreams last Saturday - I was at the Rod Stewart concert at the Indoor Stadium. The booking was late as I had forgotten about it and were left with some of the better seats only. In our youthful exuberance, I used to adore these stars and bands like Eagles, etc. and such adulation was usually unabashed as reflected in those centre-spread pull-outs from Fanfare magazines used as pin ups on the walls in my room.

One of my other favourites was David Cassidy, who was young and stylish and depicted life in the 70s. Cassidy, together with Susan Dey made The Partridge Family a classic and a favourite during the time. Those were the simple and care free days where your only real access to Rock and Pop was the once-a-week Monday hourly shot at Solid Gold where they featured performances and hits of the time. That hour was precious, just like the other soccer programmes on TV. Todays constant bombardment of MTV and live soccer on TV is 24/7.

Back to Rod Stewart. Roderick David Stewart always has a place in my heart with that raspy voice and spiky mob. His stage persona, down-to-earth sincerity and unpretentiousness cuts some ice with many folks. Once, a member of Faces, a pioneer of blues-rock, Rod is one of the best selling music artists. From stints as a fence erector, grave digger, trials with Brentford soccer club, busker - drunk and busking for train fares to pop/rock superstar, what a journey! Stewart kater joined the Jeff Beck Group as vocalist where he first met Ronnie Wood. When he sang for the Aussie group Python Lee Jackson in 1970, his payment was a set of seat covers for his car. In 1971, his solo album "Every Picture Tells A Story" when his hits Reason To Believe and Maggie May started to receive radio play. Maggie May was named in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll. A loss of innocence tale with striking mandolin play makes it one of the favourites till this day.

Rod Stewart is a talented singer with profound lyrical ability and a fabulous self-deprecating humour and oh what a voice to defined warmth and modesty. In 1975, a cover of the Sutherland Brothers' "Sailing" hit no. 1 in the Uk chart. A cover of Cat Stevens' "First Cut Is The Deepest" came in Top 30 in the US. In 1978, the album Blondes Have More Fun shot to no.1 on the Billboard charts and sold 4 million albums. In 1989, Rod performed in Mexico to sell out crowds of 80,000 people. A few days later 90,000 were in attendance in Buenos Aires with several thousands outside the stadium. In 1994, he played to 3.5 million on Cpoacabana in Rio De Janeiro. In more recent years, he has been recording 30s and 40s pop by Irving and Gershin's Great American songbook series. He has adapted well and found new fans.

Stewart has a string of liaisons with attractive women including Britt Ekland.

He married the ex-wife of actor George Hamilton and had a daughter and a son. He later married model Kelly Emberg and has a daughter, Ruby Stewart who performed here. Then he married Kiwi beauty Rachel Hunter and have a girl and a boy. His latest marriage was to model Penny Lancaster with whom he had a son.

In 1999, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and later underwent surgery. This was a major health scare. Stewart has since been active in raising funds for charities to fight cancer.

Rod Stewary unabashedly tells the world his love for blondes, soccer, his favourite soccer club Glasgow Celtic and Scotland. His screen shot of "Rodfather" trailer was self-deprecating. Soccer action of Celtic and Scotland was screened when he belted You're In My Heart, You're In My Soul...Stewart has a lifetime seat at Celtic's Glasgow stadium. Mid-way through his gig, he would kick soccer balls into the audience. Glancing headers, half-volleys or a simple throw makes an interesting sight and got the crowd excited.

He said: "Tonight, for the first time in this part of the world, at no extra cost to your ticket, please welcome my lovely 21-year-old daughter - Ruby Stewart. The obviously proud father added: "I was drunk as skunk when I was her age". Stewart then spoke of the recession - "These days, the dollars are getting less. The recession...even I feel it. Thank you for spending your money on us!"

We spotted a few Rod Stewart lookalike in the crowd. The hair and even the Scottish kilt. There were some quite hyperactive adults who became like children flowing with the music.

The Scottish crowd were delirious with You're In My Heart. Three long time favourites were like anthems. Everbody sang along when "I Don't Want To Talk About It" and Stewart and the band stop momentarily during the chorus to hear only the voices of the audience. When Maggie May came along, everone seemed to have stood up voluntarily.

Rod Stewart finished off the set and came back to give us "Sailing". Everyone was on their feet, swaying with the song. When done, Stewart and the band went backstage. The recorded video on screen showed Stewart leaving and ended with "Mr. Stewart has left the building". There was no encore. Hey, it was cool entertainment from a 64 year old Rod Stewart.

Hi Rod, we may never get to see you again. All the breasts. Oops! I mean all the best!