After a few drinks we made our way along the street to the Szympla Hert where we had arranged to meet Ian and Alison. Well, to say I was surprised was an understatement. The Ruins are just what they say they are. Derelict buildings which have been taken over and turned into bars. Inside this particular building there must have been 25-30 bars selling all sorts of beverages….and more. Lol.  It was on 3 floors and every one was packed. Anyway, Ian and Ali arrived and we had a very fun evening.

Sunday dawned with the arrival of Annette Porter and Paolo Vecchi . We spent the day sightseeing, crossed the chain bridge from Pest into Buda and back again and along the River Danube to the shoes. Very  emotional. We then went to meet Tracey White and Arthur King for a drink and Arthur had kindly arranged a river cruise and dinner for that evening. That was really great….although we didn’t get to see much of the sights along  the river. Lol.

After that we went back to the ruins where we had arranged to meet some more of the Rod Gang. Once again the flag came out and was pinned up on the wall and, once again, attracted lots of attention. We recruited a few more members that night.

So, the day of the concert dawned. Liz Klaus and myself missed our early morning call from the rest of the gang who went to the Basilica, so we decided to wander round the shops and along the river.

We stopped for coffee in a bar and were sitting outside when who should walk past us but none other than the one and only Sir Rod Stewart., Needless to say I was tongue tied and all I  could do was tap Liz on the arm and point, whilst trying to get my phone out to take a picture. All I got was the back of him and his trainer Gary. After about 10 mins whilst I was just finishing my sandwich, Liz excitedly told me that he was on his way back again. Camera to the ready, I managed to get him this time. We shouted that we would see him tonight from the front row and he acknowledged us with a small wave of his hand. All our disappointment in not going to the Basilica disappeared in a flash. We had seen the best sight in Budapest that day!.

So, on to the concert. The intro was Soul Finger followed by Having A Party, Young Turks, Some Guys, Tonights the Night and Maggie May. We were on the barrier but it was apparent that the rest of the audience were not really going to participate in the fun.

Rod then did a duet with Bridget to It Takes Two. Bridget was awesome and made the song her own. Thoroughly enjoyable. This was followed by Forever Young,  Rhythm of my Heart and Downtown Train.

We then came to the acoustic bit and the start of the troubles.  Rod asked everyone to sit down and after a bit of persuasion we did. He sang Reason to Believe, First Cut, You’re in my Heart, Talk about It and Have I told you Lately. After this the chairs were removed from the stage and Rod gave us the sign to stand up again. We all rushed back to the barrier ready to enjoy the rest of the show……Oh No!!! The security had other ideas and kept making us sit down. So every time we got up back they came and made us sit down.

Although I didn’t see it happen sometime around this point Alison  was pushed over by one of the Security and apparently was kicked whilst on the ground.  A fracas followed with a bit of arguing and names and security numbers were taken after the show. The behaviour of these “jobsworth” security guys was disgusting. Never before have I seen such unacceptable behaviour.

The last part of the show included Love Is, Proud Mary, People get Ready, Sailing, Stay with Me, Baby Jane and a fabulous rendition of Sexy. Di Reed does have the most perfect  Butt. Lol.

So, curtain down to chorus’ of Enjoy Yourself and the balloons fell from the ceiling. Apart from the incident with Alison, it was a fabulous concert.

All back to the hotel where Arthur and Kevin Crossland had supplied some booze from Tescos and bought some speakers. The bar closed at 11pm but we partied into the night, as only the Rod Pals know how.

At this point I would like to welcome Shaun Connelly into the group, I’m not sure what he expected but I think he far exceeded his expectations. That weekend he gained 2 new Mammas, a new Daddy, several brothers and sisters and even a Nonna….Me!! lol.

Another good thing that happened was that Barb Pickering  caught her first ball after waiting 44 years. So to all of you that don’t have one yet….Don’t give up. There is still time.

A good time was certainly had by all and for some it was on to Milano but for me it was back to wet and cold Blighty. Ciao!! xx

Saratoga Springs, New York. July 22  2017.

I fly from Atlanta to meet a friend in New York City. We drive the next day to Albany, NY which is about 25 miles from Saratoga Springs. She is friends with the band, so we go backstage before the show. I had no idea we’d being doing this so I am trying to keep my excitement in check. As she chats with everyone, we are casually sitting on some road cases in the hallway when who should suddenly appear, Rod himself! He greets everyone, smiles at me. I am mute at this unexpected moment, but I manage to smile back. I note he is wearing the same blue suit he had worn in Alabama. Renee and Liam are with him. He is gone within seconds, presumably to his dressing room. When the show starts, the blue suit is gone, and he opens wearing a gold textured jacket with black lapels, white shirt and black pants, a necklace featuring black beads and a large silver cross. I can see all this detail well because I’m front row….!!....  thanks to my friend. This location causes me to not take as many pictures as I usually would as he keeps looking at me, and I am concerned my photography is distracting or annoying. But maybe not… he comes over to me during “You Wear it Well” and sings a line right to me which I sing right along with him. I’m so happy because it’s my favorite song. I look at my friend afterward and ask, “Did you see that?” She did.  Right after that he goes intos “Forever Young.” The song feels faster than usual to me, and he sings it with extra energy. I wonder if it was because Renee and Liam are backstage, that maybe the lyrics are ringing more vividly in his mind.

The stand out special song at this show is “Rollin’ and Tumblin.” He introduces it talking about Muddy Waters influence on so many performers such as the Rolling Stones and him as well. He’s energetic and fun as he sings it. I can’t help it. I have to make video of that one.  After that, it’s time for “Downtown Train,” such a great one to demonstrate that beautiful and lilting voice of his.  He starts the song on one knee, his eyes closed. Next it’s the acoustic set, and we get a little Faces throwback with “Ooh La La.”  He is smiling the whole way and looking like he’s having the best time. He kicks the soccer balls this time to “Stay With Me.”  Beautiful happy night. I want more.

Canandaigua, NY July 29

One week later, and I’m back. When my young friend had told me she was so taken by Rod just as I had been at her age, I know I have to get her to another show. It’s also a good excuse for me to see him again so soon. We fly from Atlanta to White Plains, New York and drive five hours to Canandaigua, New York. It’s a beautiful, sunny day as we traverse the upper end of the state to see Our Rod. As always he opens with “Infatuation,” and though we’re six rows back, the design of the amphitheater makes us feel like we’re much closer. His sartorial offering is the gold jacket once more but paired this time with a black shirt highlighted with a bit of sparkles and those black pants that he wears oh so well. J  For a New York night in August it’s actually quite chilly, and I disappear at one point during the show to buy a Rod jacket to wear over my sundress. Always wanted one and it seems tonight’s the night. J  We get two treats that night, the first one being his cover of “Nothing But a Heartache” to which I exclaim, “I can’t believe he’s doing this.” I try to make video only to discover at the end I did not have the record button fully pressed. But right after he treats us again now with “Love Is.” I’m ready this time, video success. My sweet girl with me is now saying the same words I said moments ago, “I can’t believe he’s going to do this.”  I’m proud she is already so familiar with his songs, the old as well as the new. The acoustic set soon follows, this time he’s wearing a gorgeous silver suit. This man makes anything look good, but his sense of styles always takes my breath away.

Dallas, TX August 11 2017

My last show for this tour. It’s a mix of happy and melancholy. Off we go, another friend and I, to the Dallas concert. She’s never experienced Rod. Of the ones I’ve been to on this round, our seats are not the greatest. We’re only eight or so rows back, but we’re pretty far to the side. We can see Rod clearly though upon his entrance, so it’s all good. He kicks things off once again with “Infatuation” and moves onto other hits. He mentions that he’s been playing so many outside venues and what a joy it is to be at an indoor arena.  A number of fans move up to the front of the stage. Security tries to stop them but eventually give up, so when Rod comes out to do the ballads, he himself tells everyone to go back to their seats, says it’s only fair, tells everyone to sit down. He says these things in such a sweet way, and it’s nice to know he is concerned about everyone’s enjoyment. This part of the show is always so lovely, Rod sitting there, singing to us surrounded by his band. It feels like we’ve gone from a rock show to a little classical interlude. I’ve been to a few of these shows now, so I know what is in store. Well, at least until he begins to tell us he’s going to do a song he hasn’t done in 12 years, that they did it in rehearsal, and that he’s going to look to his bass player for queues on when to sing. That’s when he eases his chair back toward Conrad and tells us he’s going to do “Broken Arrow.”  Broken Arrow! I’m so excited I fumble with my camera getting it in place to record. I want to enjoy it, but I can’t miss the opportunity to have it for future viewing. Not only is it special to hear this song live, but I know some of the lyrics are going to his home. This day, August 11^th, is six years since my dad, a WWII veteran, passed away. During the memorial service for my dad, we had played a cover Rod did along with a video montage of my dad’s photos and even printed the lyrics with Rod’s name in the service program.  The date is the main reason I had wanted to be at this particular show, so I’m feeling a little melancholy.  I often think to myself that there’s nothing your dad won’t do for you when you’re his little girl and when Rod sings, “Who else is gonna bring you a broken arrow?” I feel a tug at my heart. But Rod’s eloquent rendition of the song overrides any bit of sadness. I feel so moved and knowing this is my last for the tour, I want to get as close as possible. So when he finishes the sit-down set, people being to move back up to the front of the stage again, and I do, too. I am at the right side of the stage when “Hot Legs” begins, and he’s expertly kicking the soccer balls. I want to remember this moment. I turn around, locate him in the background and do a selfie with him.  I think he sees this and actually poses. What a fantastic way to end such a great tour. 

Finally, after almost 26 years we will have Rod at our old, dark and rocker arena instead of the posh Auditorio Nacional where he have played in 2002, 2008 and 2012 - the return to the venue where he played for the first time in México City back in december 1991 was guarantee of good enthusiastic rocker audience.

After getting lost in my own subway system due to heading to the venue from an unusual area of the city we barely made it to our seats on time, just 10 minutes before the gig start.

I have to admit that due to being sick of the same setlist I haven’t paid the usual attention on the fan live videos in the last 2 years, so even when I’m aware that there have been changes on the live versions I wasn’t really aware about all the details. Same goes to the band changes: I knew Becca Kotte and Adrianna Thurber from Las Vegas circuit were doing background vocals and second violin respectively, but I have to admit that I haven’t paid too much attention to Adrianna violin skills or Becca’ vocals... But I certainly knew their dancing skills and I was so looking forward to see Becca dancing, specially during River deep - mountain high.

When I knew it will be at the Palacio de los Deportes arena I tought we will have the curtain and the steps at the edge of the stage and I was surprised when I didn’t saw them: it is the first time ever that the whole live production didn’t come to México, and I was dissapointed by that. Due to the lack of the curtain I knew we might not have the “playing dead” at the end, that was sad.

Red lights on stage and audience lights dimmed down, and the crowd reacted: it was lovely to finally see a good mexican audience for Rod!!! From the initial roar I knew it would be a good gig even if the set list were terrible as usual.

Band came in, Soul Finger, and when Sir Rod Stewart came to the stage his left foot got trapped on the back curtain and he almost felt, but he graciously got rid of the incident. The crowd roared again.

Having a party, This old heart of mine and by Some guys have all the luck Rod already knew he had the audience in his pocket, so he encouraged us to join with the chorus and it was so loud that he asked the band to stop so the audience could have a solo spot.

Love is gave us (for “us” I mean my friends Anuar and Abel Hernández, Luis Bernal and myself) our first “wow” moment, since it was the very first time we will see it live - Rod said that we might not be familiar with it and certainly most of the audience werent, but I lost my voice singing it as loud as I could and they delivered a marvelous version, specially my J'Anna with her fantastic "Adrian Belewsque" solo wich led me to tears and histeria.

Tonight’s the night and finally I got 5 minutes to rest, then It’s a heartache which is another favourite of the mexican audience. Forever young will never be a fail anywere in the world, and the new drum solo caught me by surprise then again because I haven’t been paying attention lately (and have to admit that when I knew about the concert and knowing I haven’t been paying attention I decided that I will not watch anything so the changes could be a surprise for me) and I haven’t noticed the new structure, and didn’t knew Matt’ role on it.

Rhythm of my heart and I was glad that the vocals solo at the end is gone: I never liked that kind of vocals with high notes. And another surprise for me: the flag of the hosting country is not on display at the end anymore, instead it was the United Kingdom flag and the Knighthood.

Then when I was expecting Young turks, Baby Jane caught me by surprise: that song is allways on the second set, and if it was on the first set that mean we will not have Young turks - dissapointing!! The only thing that I like about the latin american set list is that we get both Young Turks and Baby Jane, but this time it looked like no Young turks for us. Bummer!! Still Baby Jane got an amazing response from the audience as usual, and it was even better due to the venue and the no-posh rocker audience.

Now the song I was most looking forward to: Downtown train. Downtown train has always been a personal favourite live (maybe I don’t listen to it so often but I enjoy it live so much, don’t know why) and knowing that it has a new solo by Jimmy it was something that had me very excited. The song went on, slow and intense as usual, great solo by Emerson, and suddenly there it was: The Saxman taking the stage and the whole venue by assault with a long and impressive solo which got me in histerical tears, feeling every change of notes as if they were needles sticking in my skin and all the way into my soul which BTW hasn’t been in good shape lately, but I experienced some sort of catharsis feeling Jimmy’s notes and aparently I feel better now. I guess I’ve never experienced any solo at a Rod concert ever the way I felt this one: when I was having breakfast with Jimmy hours before I told him that he is a legend in México since his solo on Passion back in 1989 when Rod came over for the first time, and Jimmy tought I was talking about Rod. “No Jimmy, YOU are the legend over here, you will see when you play your solo on Downtown train tonight” and he looked surprised for my words. I guess he reminded of my words when he saw the audience response: it was fantastic, pure magic.

Then the first of my two most hated moments came: First cut. Lame as usual, audience loving it as usual. Maybe I felt asleep for a minute, then Rod announced a Faces song and I almost dump in my pants: I stand up and yelled histerical to my mates “OOH LA LA!! DAMN FUCKING OOH LA LA!!!” and yes, for the very first time in latin american soil, there was Ooh la la. Every time Ooh la la comes on my mp3 player while on the street I fantasize of seeing it live, and finally it was happening: miracles exist, oh yeah they do - and the little remainings of my voice were finally lost there.

You’re in my heart, then I don’t wanna talk about it and I was about to leave my seat to have a smoke by the hallway, but there was a lot of people I would disturb to get out of the row so I tried to have 3 minutes of much needed sleep with no success: audience were singing so damn loud.

Thought the torture was over but no, still one more: have I told you lately. Couldn’t find anything more interesting to do during the song than singing it to my mate Abel to his ear in the most romantic attitude I could, while playing with his spiky hair to the delight (or horror?) of the middle aged women seated behind us. Have to admit that we were just talking and having a laugh during the acoustic segment - but not on Ooh la la - during that one we were histerical!!

Finally the damn chairs went off and Can’t stop me now started - and to my surprise I felt it weak. I swear it was more powerful when I saw it as an opener in London 2013, or maybe that time I was excited and by this time I didn’t find it too interesting.

Without announcement Rod left the stage and River deep-mountan high started, and I was delighted by Becca’ dance moves.

Then another surprise on the set list order: Sailing. An audience favourite, but it was strange that it was right after the girls’ song.

Maggie and my J’anna got her biggest (out of several of course, as expected) ovation by the crowd both during her mandolin solo and also when Rod made her sing the usual line.

So now must be balls time, right? And Stay with me started leaving no room at all for Hot legs or Young turks and definitely killing the dream of Rollin’ and tumblin’. He kicked some really large ones, didn’t counted them.

New intro for Sexy and of course the audience went nuts. Balloons, Conrad slap solo, the end, they left the stage. They came back, Enjoy yourself and certainly I was so looking forward to see Julia dancing around the stage on that one!! then they all start walking off the stage while still playing, until only Dave and Chuck were left to hit the final notes and the concert was over.

I enjoyed it a lot: being seated on the upper section for a change was different since there was no pressure to get good video or photos since my camera is crap at a distance, it was different by not feeling the pressure of being Fan Club waving a flag at the front, no pressure of trying to catch Rod’s or Band’s eye, no pressure trying to get a ball; just a concert, that was it: a great rock concert having fun with my mates, yelling “MA MAAAN!!” every time Jimmy got a spot, yelling “SHE IS MY LOOOOVE!!! Every time my J’anna got a spot, dancing and singing my ass out with nothing to lose at a venue which I love, lost among the best audience Rod had since 1991 here in my city.

Final random notes: I missed Katja and Anne A LOT, and I loved the presence of Matt again on stage. Rod was in top form from start to finish, both voice and attitude. I found the percussion accents by Julia very interesting, they certainly enrich the songs. The venue is known by its terrible acoustics, but it sounded far better than I expected at least on my spot (which was right above and slightly to the right from where the photo below was taken from).

Maybe this was the last time I saw Rod playing México: will he still be around other than Las Vegas in 4 or 5 years? Only time will tell.