Rod Stewart, Cheap Trick at SPAC

For two consecutive years, the Covid pandemic has postponed the highly anticipated dual bill of Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Famers Cheap Trick and Rod Stewart at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. When the pair finally took the stage on a breeze-less, 90-plus-degree evening on Friday, the 10,000-person audience was primed.

Even thunderstorms rolling through the lawn late in the show didn’t deter the energized crowd, many of whom stood dancing in the rain as Stewart played “Hot Legs” while booting soccer balls into the seats under the roof of the SPAC amphitheater.

Cheap Trick, as an opener, wisely chose to adhere to formula familiarity with their double punch of reinvigorated heavy riffs and Beatle-esque harmonies. They have been enjoying a resurgence of late. Their hour-long set list was led by Rick Nielsen, adorned with his typical garb of baseball cap, bow tie and patch lined vest. He still plays his full throttle guitar chord intros to “Dream Police” and “Hello There” as powerful as he ever has.

At 69, Robin Zander’s voice holds up well with little audible strain to belt out the high notes that powered groundbreaking albums “In Color,” “Heaven Tonight,” “Dream Police” and “Cheap Trick At Budokan.”

The band ripped through “He’s a Whore,” “California Man” (the Move cover,) the Fats Domino’s classic “Ain’t That a Shame,” “Boys & Girls & Rock ‘n’ Roll” with Nielsen switching to different guitars on every song. Tom Petersson’s vocals and masterful 12-string bass solo shined on “I Know What I Want.” He’s back with the band after recovering from open heart surgery last year.

Robin (Taylor) Zander, Jr., now part of the touring band, had his moment in the spotlight singing “Downed” as if he’s been doing it for years. Daxx Nielsen’s drumming has markedly improved since he took over on drums in 2010 for Bun E. Carlos. His timing was spot on, leading a thundering intro to the anthemic show closers: “I Want You To Want Me” and “Surrender/Goodnight.” Cheap Trick fans were there to hear the hits and that’s exactly what they got.

Just as the stage crew finished a 20-minute set changeover, the house lights dimmed and the sound of bagpipes came blaring over the speakers. With white spotlights moving slowly side to side, shining through a fog across the stage, Stewart’s band started playing the intro to the Robert Palmer classic “Addicted To Love.” Out marched six women dressed in matching white blouses and glittering black shorts to the front of the stage with various instruments in hand. The staged intro replicated Palmer’s memorable MTV video with the women’s visual appearance, but here all were talented singers and masters of the instruments they carried: violin, fiddle, guitar, bass guitar.

Out strolled Sir Rod Stewart to a thunderous ovation, taking his place front and center leading everyone to sing along. Talk about a grand entrance. Few artists come to mind that can make such an immediate impact, being so totally in control right off the bat.

Stewart was commanding as he danced and strolled about the stage from one side to the other, tapping into his deep reservoir of hits, “You Wear It Well,” “Ooh La La” with an impressive video montage of vintage photos from his days with The Faces, his band from the early 70s. With swirling vari-lights moving about the stage, a massive video wall behind him and a curved arc of monitors overhead, the computerized graphics and animation displayed was stunning. The impact at times looked like a presentation of a Hollywood movie opening or a Las Vegas marquee. Stewart’s name and key words to song lyrics were displayed artistically in the monitors as he moved from song to song.

He gave a thankful nod to American Blues Masters Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf  -- Chess Records blues artists he admired as well as his deep appreciation of R&B music, again including a Sam Cooke classic in his set, “Havin’ A Party.” He stepped back to watch several of his group of backup musicians step dancing, all while playing the violin and fiddle, while another held a marching band sized bass drum with the logo of his Celtic Football Team, beating to the intro of  Motown favorite “It Takes Two.” The timing and song placement of songs within this show were well prepared, the choreography well rehearsed. They performed a powerful performance of “Forever Young” with a fully engaged audience singing along. An added surprise to the set was the rarely performed “The Killing of Georgie Pts. 1 & 2.”

After a Rod costume change, the tempo dropped with an acoustic set led off with a song he called one of his favorites, “People Get Ready,” the Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions cover he recorded years earlier with old friend Jeff Beck. There was a funny moment when he stopped harpist Julia Thornton’s intro to “Tonight’s The Night.” She looked over suddenly very surprised. He said that he hadn’t quite finished talking about the song they were about to do.

Never one in his career to shy away from a good song, no matter who wrote it, they covered “The First Cut Is the Deepest” (Cat Stevens), “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” (Creedence Clearwater Revival), “Rhythm of My Heart” (Marc Jordan) and “Have I Told You Lately,” (Van Morrison) which were all faithful to the originals. Among his best known songs, Maggie May,” “Young Turks,” and “Do You Think I’m Sexy?” which had the audience up on their feet bopping along and singing.

“Call Me,” (the Blondie cover) sung by the all-female backup singers gave Stewart another opportunity for a breather and a second wardrobe change.

As he returned to perform Donna Summer’s dance hit “Hot Stuff,” Mother Nature arrived suddenly with high winds and a flash thunderstorm forcing thousands on the lawn to seek shelter. But even this deluge didn’t dampen the spirit of those who came to see Stewart on what is reportedly his last “rock” tour. Many chose to stand in the rain and dance along to “Hot Legs.” Stewart meanwhile was kicking soccer balls into the crowd under the cover of the amphitheater while video screens featured members of his family and of his Celtic Football Team in uniform along with highlights from some of their games.

It seemed fitting that the encore was “Stay With Me,” one of his harder rocking hits recorded with the Faces in 1971. After watching the energy he put forth, it’s hard to imagine this might be his last rock tour, but he is 77 years-old. His loyal fans were treated to a great show which was well worth the wait and one that will leave lasting memories.

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