Rod Stewart @ Lucas Oil Live, Thackerville, OK

Words and photos by Duane Clawson

When you see most seventy-nine-year-old men inside Winstar Casino, they are usually wandering around looking for a table game or slot machine, in hopes of bolstering their family’s inheritance. But on a random Thursday in Thackerville, OK, one seventy-nine-year-old man is about to sing, dance, and win over the hearts of sixty-six hundred fans. That man is none other than the timeless Rod Stewart! I can say with great confidence this is also the first time I have seen a knight in concert, that’s Sir Rod Stewart to you! Additionally, this rescheduled show from November of 2023 would be Stewart’s first of 2024. And if his quote, “This will be the last time ’round, I think, to do the rock ‘n’ roll stuff” is true, I have picked a great time to review this rock and roll icon!

As the venue goes dark, Stewart’s female entourage of backup singers/musicians take their place center stage. As Rod strolls on stage confidently, the talented backing band belts out the instantly recognizable grind of Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love.” Lucas Oil Live erupts as the slight rasp in his voice hits the microphone and has him immediately owning this sold-out show!

When you have a sixty-plus year career it is hard to include everyone’s favorites. But being a skillful performer, Stewart certainly touches every phase of his career. He seamlessly moves from era to era. Be it the disco styled, “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” or the early seventies classic, “You Wear It Well”, Rod is there. Fairly early in the night’s festivities he playfully announces, “This is our first show in three months, and we haven’t fucked up yet.” During the second of five wardrobe changes, his band takes over on, “Forever Young” with a Riverdance-fashioned breakdown. The senior hit makers upbeat mood is infectious. Transforming even relaxed songs like, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” and “Downtown Train” into upbeat sing-alongs.

Decked out in Ukrainian flag colors, he dedicates, “Rhythm of My Heart” to the current plight of the Ukrainian people. Being one of music’s elder statesmen, Rod speaks profoundly, “Although we live in a splintered world, music will keep us together.” It has been rumored Stewart’s children have asked him to slow down. There was little to no evidence of this as he seemed to just be warming up as his show was winding down. Foregoing the effort of an encore, the ageless party host jumps right into a blistering version of “Stay With Me.” The fire in his soul from this 1972 masterpiece still burns, as he struts across the stage with the swagger of a man in his prime! Mr. Stewart cheers to you and may you remain forever young!

A huge thank you to Rod Stewart’s crew for allowing MTC MAG to be front and center. And as always, an ever bigger thank you to Lucas Oil Live for hosting another great show!

Photos of the show are below: