Rod Stewart Closes Proceedings In Hyde Park
Rod remains in our hearts and in our souls
Bursting onto the Main Stage to the sound of the classic soul standard Love Train by the O’Js, Rod Stewart’s highly anticipated Sunday headline set at Hard Rock Calling 2011 didn’t disappoint...“Good evening, my multitudes!” he cried, to a chorus of applause and cheers, before launching into This Old Heart. Golden sunlight shone over Hyde Park as he belted out Cat Stevens' First Cut is the Deepest, much to the delight of the crowd.
A huge onslaught of hits followed, including Baby Jane and Downtown Train before a moment we’d only dared to dream of! Rod donned a dapper purple suit in time to receive a very special guest in the form of none other than the legendary Stevie Nicks, who joined him for an unforgettable rendition of Young Turks.
Where to next? Handbags and Gladrags of course! From here he continued to woo his fans with a rendition of the title track from his classic album, Every Picture Tells a Story.
Rod then let his backing singers take centre stage for an inspirational cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Proud Mary, which had the crowd dancing to its infectious beat.
The masses were enraptured as the opening notes of the instantly recognisable Maggie May rang out, with Rod even halting proceedings to announce the arrival of none other than Ronnie Wood on stage. Stay With Me was next, and that’s exactly what Ronnie did… pleasing the crowd with his trademark licks!
“There’s happiness, joy and love here in Hyde Park!” proclaimed Rod, before Twistin' The Night Away and You’re In My Heart... never a dull moment!
The time had come for the big guns to come out; I Don't Wanna Talk About It, Hot Legs and Do Ya Think I'm Sexy only served to secure Rod’s already legendary status.
All that remained was for Mr. Stewart to send us Sailing. Arms swayed and tired voices strained as Hyde Park recognised that they were in the presence of a true legend.
Satiated and replete, every soul in the place retreated into the night… each of which knowing that they had witnessed history here at Hard Rock Calling.
Great music is about bringing people together, and this weekend I think that every person who ventured through the Hyde Park gates got a sense of what it’s like to feel that togetherness.
Happy 40th birthday Hard Rock, here’s to the next 40 and we’ll be counting down the days until we meet again… same time, same place, next year.
