Rod Stewart Night

What a great night. I have been promising to take my great seventeen year old, guitar playing, slightly metal head son, to a Kings hockey game for about two months. Last night was the night we had planned to attend the game.

We jumped into the car about 6 p.m. and headed downtown to Staples Center, in Los Angeles. We were a little early so we had a nice dinner together, then headed over to the arena. He told me how much he had been looking forward to spending this evening with me and he was excited about seeing the Kings.

We walked into the arena and headed for the tunnel leading to the section where we were to sit. As we came out the tunnel to the open vastness of the arena, it became obvious to my son that there was no ice. Instead, hanging from the ceiling down to the floor in the center of the arena, was a circular curtain of plaid fabric. Since my son had never seen a concert in-the-round setup at Staples, he looked at me with an expression of confusion. Like, what's going on?

"Andy," I said, "We were never really going to a hockey game"

"What do you mean?" he asked, still completely confused.

He looked out at the arena and then back to me, still confused. I looked at him and smiled, "I have been planning this for three months. We were really never going to a hockey game, we're at a Rod Stewart concert."

On his handsome face was an expression of complete and stunned surprise. A perfect smile of excitement as the impact of what was happening struck him. He was quickly enveloped by the special electricity, only generated by a sellout crowd in the minutes just before a legendary performer is about to take the stage. "I can't believe you did this," he smiled. He turned and gave me a tight hug.

My son's reaction was one of those perfect and rewarding "dad moments," that will stay with me for life. This surprise turned out so well. He had no clue until we were inside the arena and I told him what was going on. Needless to say, the concert was a great and we were both thrilled. Just a perfect evening with my super son which I know he will never forget, as well. It was fun watching him make a few calls on his cell during the concert telling his friends, "You won't believe it, my Dad took me to a Rod Stewart concert," then holding his phone up so the listener could hear the music.

Until this time, my son had only seen heavy metal concerts, "In Flames" and a number of similar band's concerts, during which he enjoys the the thrill of the mosh pit. He enjoys other types of music and I recently heard him in his room, putting down his electric guitar, to take up his acoustic and play the lead for "Hotel California." Nothing wrong with a little Eagles influence.

Now about Rod: I had seen Rod Stewart in concert a number of times about twenty-five to thirty years ago and he has "forever young" been a favorite of mine. I have to say that he has never been better. The songs are certainly the same and a thrill to hear again but the musical compositions have been updated with a more compelling, driving beat, on his up tempo numbers. He has such comfort with his mates and the crowd. Although he does not leap from amps any more, he is in constant movement with the rhythm and beat of the music. He still has his full repertoire of Rod patented moves. He has great fun and joy in performing. The Staples Center does a great job with the concert in the round, with not a bad seat in the house. Four huge screens hang above the stage so no matter which direction he was facing, you always have the front view of him on the screen. Great quality video on the screens, as well.

One of my few celebrity moments came back around 1970, when the guys on my hockey team and I were tipping a few at Barney's Beanery, in Hollywood. Swinging through the door comes Rod and his friends, all dressed head to toe in old English sailor uniforms. He came right over to our table, sat down and spent the next hour talking about hockey and of course his love for soccer (football). He was high energy and happy. He was just one of the guys. Of course we all recognized him but his celebrity was never part of the great fun a bunch of guys have when they sit together as brothers and enjoy each other's company.