Rod Stewart is back on tour: Knoxville celebrates the music legend

Almost exactly four weeks after his last performance in Allentown, a visibly refreshed and revitalised Sir Rod Stewart has returned to the stage. In the packed Thompson Boling Arena, the British singer thrilled the audience and treated young and old alike to his hits spanning over six decades.

“Back where I came from” is the title of Kenny Chesney’s song of the same name, a tribute to East Tennessee and the city of Knoxville. This title could almost be applied word for word to the tour of music legend Rod Stewart. After four weeks during which the 81-year-old was able to put his feet up and relax, Sir Rod returned to where the enthusiasm and love of the crowds always greet him – the concert stage. “Playing live is the very best drug,” the ‘Maggie May’ singer once said, and – with 80s superstar Howard Jones in tow – proved once again that he is one of the best, if not the best, live entertainers of all time.

First up, special guest Howard Jones kicked off the evening in the packed arena with a seven-song set as a warm-up, including classics such as “No One Is To Blame” and “What Is Love”.
Then came the main course: Rod took to the stage right on time and immediately belted out his hits “Infatuation” and “Tonight I’m Yours” to the party-ready crowd. The fans were instantly fired up and turned the evening into a huge party.
“Hot Legs”, “Forever Young” or “The First Cut Is The Deepest” – Stewart left little to be desired with his song selection. The crowd swayed and sang along wistfully when the Brit paid tribute to his beloved club Celtic FC with “You’re In My Heart” or breathed the Etta James classic “I’d Rather Go Blind” into the microphone. During “Maggie May” and “Young Turks”, the audience were just as restless in their seats as they were during the interludes performed by the magnificent band, such as “I’m Every Woman” or “Proud Mary”.

True to the motto “Some Guys Have All The Luck” – the 1984 song, which was of course also on the setlist that evening – became the unofficial motto of the night. For those who were there that evening and got to enjoy a Rod Stewart in top form were indeed lucky.

Setlist:

Infatuation
Tonight I'm Yours
It's A Heartache
Hot Legs
Forever Young
The First Cut Is The Deepest
You're In My Heart
Rollin' & Tumblin'
Maggie May
I'd Rather Go Blind
Young Turks
Downtown Train
I'm Every Woman (Band only)
Mandolin Wind
If You Don't Know Me By Now
People Get Ready
Have I Told You Lately
Proud Mary (Band only)
It Takes Two
Some Guys Have All The Luck
Da Ya Think I'm Sexy
Love Train