Luxe Life Blog
Photos: (Hot) Rod Stewart arrives at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
By Don Chareunsy
Posted @10:30 a.m.
A literally hot rock legend, Rod Stewart, arrived poolside at the Garden of the Gods at Caesars Palace yesterday afternoon to kick off his two-year residency of Rod Stewart: The Hits at The Colosseum, and Brian Jones of Las Vegas News Bureau and Scott Harrison were on duty in the 100-degree-plus heat for a Vegas DeLuxe photo gallery.
Please check back later for full coverage of Stewart’s premiere in the theater that also is the resident home of Celine Dion, Sir Elton John and Shania Twain.
Meantime, enjoy the early and colorful photos.
Updated @11:38 p.m.:
A few thoughts from Stewart’s grand opening night at The Colosseum:
Stewart’s arrival via vintage vehicle in the late afternoon at Garden of the Gods was part Old Vegas and definitely new Vegas: Caesars Palace and music executives; tan, buff and curvaceous daytime revelers in swimwear; synchronized swimmers performing to “Hot Legs”; soccer balls; unfortunate Caesars employees in full suits in the sweltering heat; and the rock star -- who jokingly implored the four execs to keep their speeches shorts (“I have a show to do!”) in a white Celtic Football Club track suit all blending like a perfect daiquiri.
Wow, the 66-year-old rocker can still rock colors. He kicked off the evening -- not on time but a few minutes early -- in a fuchsia blazer and then a purple blazer. He ended in very casual white jeans, a white dress shirt with a pattern and white tennis shoes.
Rod Stewart at Caesars Palace on Aug. 24, 2011.
The set list with his terrific and talented 13-piece band and trio of backing singers included “Maggie May,” “Rhythm of My Heart,” “Forever Young,” “Tonight’s the Night” “You Wear It Well,” “Broken Arrow,” “Infatuation,” “Some Guys Have All the Luck,” “Shake Your Money Maker” and “The First Cut Is the Deepest.” His encore, of course, was “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?”
The rarely performed “The Killing of Georgie,” a song he wrote in the 1970s that was controversial, according to Stewart, because it tackled homosexuality, was an unexpectedly touching performance. Another highlight: The fabulous vocal gymnastics with his backing singers at the end of “The Rhythm of My Heart.”
Tickets are on sale for performances from Aug. 27-Sept. 11 and Nov. 3-20. Stewart’s hits and his considerable charisma and charm lift The Hits at Caesars. Final note: Some of his female fans are insane in their adoration. Insane!
Rod Stewart at Caesars Palace on Aug. 24, 2011.
Boom, boom, pow!
Speaking of insane … my guest -- my brother, Charlie -- caught one of Stewart’s dozen or so autographed soccer balls that he kicked into the audience. Charlie also received a bloody lip from an overzealous bridesmaid-like fan and offers of money to buy the ball. Some guys -- in this case, Charlie -- have all the luck. Or not.
For more from the show, check out Senior Editor John Katsilometes’ musings in The Kats Report.
Don Chareunsy is editor of VegasDeLuxe.com and arts and entertainment editor of LasVegasSun.com.
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.
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