Sir Rod Stewart wowed Michigan possibly for one last time! The metro area has been experiencing some above average summer heat which triggered some pretty good storms. For all the folks living outside of Michigan these types of events don’t stop us from doing or having fun, after all we are Detroit Rock City. Traffic was thick all round the venue and lines to get in were long. With the bad weather looming those who weren’t seated yet missed out on Cheap Trick as the show times were moved to accommodate the incoming storms. Originally set for 7:30 pm Cheap Trick hit the stage at 7:00 pm. Those in attendance were treated to one hell of a set from the rock legends.
Kicking things off with “Hello There” off the bands 1977 album “In color” was a great way to great the diehard fans who grew up with the rock icons. Guitar great Rick Nielsen showed no signs of being 76 years of age prowling the stage, all while looking energetic, throwing his guitar picks into the crowd and at us photographers. Rick was having some fun with my long time friend and fellow photographer Scott Legato who was given the rockstar hello with the middle finger motioning to Scott to come closer to the stage so he could stick a guitar pick to his forehead, I did mention it was hot out right. Frontman Robin Zander still sounding great on the mic had the place rocking with everyone’s fave “Dream Police” following that up with “The Flame.” Such a powerful song, just ask the fans in attendance who sang right along with Zander, at one point the band could have cut the sound and let the crowd takeover it was one of those goosebump moments.
It never gets old seeing Nielsen jamming on one of his many custom made guitars or hearing Zander voice taking you back to your high school days. Bass player Tom Petersson still strumming the strings flawlessly all these years later still smiling and having fun. Drummer Daxx Nielsen who replaced Bun E. Carlos in 2010 brings the electric vibe to the kit displayed in the last song of the evening. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers ended the night with “Goodnight” a fitting way to end the 45-minute shortened set. Cheap Trick can still wow their fans decades later with no signs of the old age narrative setting in. Let this be clear to everyone out there you are never too old to rock and roll.
Moving quickly to keep up with the weather Rod Stewart hit the bright lights at 8:00 pm by now the hill at Pine Knob and the pavilion were packed in tightly like a can of sardines. The bright red curtain drops, load cheers ensue and welcome the living legend to Michigan Rod Stewart hit the crowd with “Infatuation” and immediately had the crowd at the palm of his hands. It’s good to be back Michigan, dancing and strutting his way on stage smiling and having the time of his life. Darken clouds and rain had no effect on the oversized backyard party. The 15,000 fans were in for one last time with Rod Stewart’s iconic smash hits like “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” taking you on a trip down 1976 memory lane.
Only Stewart can put on show stopper set bringing along numerous sax and violin solos, backup singers, and dancers all so talented in their own rights. Speaking of the backup singers showing of their talent with a classic cover from Chaka Khan “I’m Every Woman” turned the place into one giant dance party. After many wardrobe changes through out the night Stewart hit Michigan with “The Mowtown Song” a track very rarely played since the 90’s. After all Detroit is a lot of things but we will always be remembered as “Motown.” Stewart raspy voice sounded strong with “Maggie May” another fan favorite and breaking out some electric dance moves with “Young Turks” Stewart sporting black pants with stars on his lower backside (butt) drawing cheers from the ladies with Stewart giving the iconic smile back.
Highlights from the night that stood out:
“You’re in My Heart” as I mentioned earlier about the violinist on tour, long time violinist J’Anna Jacoby beautifully brought it all together. Stewart dressed in all blue delivered his high notes with the crowd taking it even higher out singing Stewart, it truly was a site to see with swaying arms and cell phones lit up towards the end of the song with the band cutting the music and letting Pine Knob takeover. I’ve been to a lot of concerts and by far this song will go in the books as being the loudest of all time it certainly got the attention of the near by neighbors and surrounding cities. The song is a tribute to Stewart’s Scottish soccer club Celtic with the backup singers kicking inflatable soccer balls into the crowd.
“Some Guys Have All The Luck” Stewart displaying some high energy at 80-years of age going corner to corner on the massive stage greeting his fans. Ok fans as in the ladies, rushing to the corner of the stage just to touch hands with the living legend. Stewart had that, to many expresso’s energy on this song.
“Da Ya Think I’m Sexy” the backup singers taking center stage with the massive jumbotron in the backdrop displaying all kinds of images from Rod Stewart’s prints of his wardrobe, to huge pink lips, along with pictures of Sir Rod Stewart. The jumbotron was decked out with all kinds of cool looking colors and images.
Lastly from the highlights Stewart asked his fans to join in and sing along with “Forever Young” dedicating the song to past and present musicians who have left the world most recently the passing of Ozzy Osbourne. A sad but happy moment indeed one we will never forget. If the venue had tissues they would have been passed out to all in attendance. Folks on the lawn were drenched and could have cared less. Music fuels the soul! The band backed Stewart masterfully through out the set like a fine aged wine. The sing-along party was not done yet helping Stewart close out the night with a classic cover from the O’Jays “Love Train.” Rod Stewart has strong tides with Detroit dating back to the Jeff Beck days making this a night to be remembered in every which way. As it goes with bands having one last retirement tour you can never say never and we hope to see you again. Stewart has indicated he may still perform at much smaller venues in the near future brings hope to seeing him again here in Detroit like at the historic Fillmore in downtown Detroit. The nearly two-hour show still has some dates left on this US tour that runs through October before hitting Mexico and south America and ending in Europe. Thanks for reading and keep rocking America!
Rod Stewart performing live at Pine Knob Music Theatre August 12, 2025
