THE HEART AND SOUL OF ROCK & ROLL

April 22, 2011

Between them, they have sold millions of albums, won countless awards, earned inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and accumulated vast catalogs of classics that have shaped the direction of Rock & Roll.

Friday night brought two legendary forces in music together at Rogers Arena, for a show that the crowd of 12,000-strong won't soon forget.

The pairing of Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks was a perfect blend of veteran presence and youthful energy. The seasoned performers' passion for music is undeniable.

Making its second to last stop in Vancouver, the duo's Heart & Soul Tour celebrates the release of Stewart's latest album The Best of...The Great American Songbook, while building anticipation for Nicks' new album—her first album of new material in a decade—In Your Dreams, set for release on May 3.

Stewart took the stage to introduce "one of the great voices of the 20th century", turning the mic over to Nicks for her opening set.

The reigning queen of rock took over, captivating the crowd with the strength of her voice, both husky and velvety. Wrapped in a sparkling black dress, complete with gloves, Nicks took fans through "Stand Back", Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" and "Rhiannon", sliding effortlessly between powerful and delicate.

Exuding a mystical stage presence, the 62 year old singer-songwriter had the crowd singing along for her moving rendition of "Landslide", dedicated to her father. Her set continued to gain momentum throughout, drawing fans to their feet and ending on a high note with "Love Is".

An hour and a half in and the concert's promise of a night filled with classic hits was already fulfilled. Stewart’s set took the count to a whole new level.

Preceded by a full-fledged supporting cast consisting of nine musicians and and four singers, Stewart danced his way onto the shiny white stage. Clad in a gold blazer—his wardrobe for the night also featured suits of blue and purple—the British singer-songwriter opened with The O-Jays' "Love Train", followed by "Tonight's the Night".

Stewart's youthful spirit was contagious. His feet were constantly moving as he danced his way around the stage, proving age really is just a number. At 66, his career spans five decades and he continues with more pep than people half his age.

Bringing Nicks back on stage, the duo blended their unique voices, performing Stewart's "Passion" and Nicks' "Leather and Lace" much to the delight of the packed house.

A seasoned performer, Stewart made sure to hit all the right notes. Taking the show late into the evening, he doled out "Forever Young" the anthem of the concert, "Downtown Train" as a tribute to Tom Waits, "You're in My Heart", and "Hot Legs". Keeping the energy high throughout, he finally capped the night with "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy".

Vibrant and lively, the show's pairing of Stewart and Nicks, Rock's heart and soul, embodied the spirit of Forever Young.