Rod Stewart, Pat Benatar concert review: Ontario, Calif.

photo by Rankin, courtesy Republic Records

Rod Stewart is a real trooper.

The veteran pop/rock artist recently suffered a foot fracture while playing soccer at home with his sons. Instead of cancelling remaining dates on the tour, as many fellow seventysomething singers might do, Stewart valiantly went on with the show.

During a highly entertaining concert on Sunday night in Ontario, Calif., he performed while wearing a boot. A white chair was brought onstage, but Stewart still moved around the stage, mixed it up with some of the dozen musicians in the band and even continued the traditional ritual of kicking out a few soccer balls (humorously reminding himself to use the good left foot).

A bagpipe sound and fanfare led into an instrumental cover of the Bar-Kays’ 1967 R&B hit “Soul Finger.” Then Stewart sauntered onstage to kick off the 95-minute, 15-song set with “Infatuation.” After joking about the injury, he said, “I’m here, in good voice, so let’s enjoy ourselves!” Fans who filled Ontario Business Bank Arena – which just celebrated its 10th Anniversary – sure did.

Last month, Stewart released his 30th studio album “Blood Red Roses.” He co-produced and co-wrote a bulk of the eclectic 13-track collection with longtime collaborator Kevin Savigar. The deluxe bonus edition contains 16 selections, including a moving cover by Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout and Ervin Drake's "It Was a Very Good Year" - made famous by Frank Sinatra. "Blood Red Roses" debuted at No. 1 in the U.K. and the single “Didn’t I” went top 10 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart over here. I'd highly recommend it for old and new fans alike. 

There were some dazzling graphics on the big screens. During “Some Guys Have All the Luck,” slot machine images spun and revealed pictures of the late Robert Palmer (I’d totally forgotten that he scored a top 20 UK hit with his own cover two years before Rod’s take on the Persuaders song). Before a stirring “Rhythm of My Heart,” Stewart noted he was born right after WWII and dedicated it to those who have served in the military as footage from various battles and his 2016 knighthood ceremony with Prince William.

Stewart’s feisty tribute to old Chicago blues music came via “Rollin’ & Tumblin’, popularized by Muddy Waters. The track, featured on “Blood Red Roses,” was an early set standout. Taking a seat for a laid back “Tonight’s the Night,” Stewart’s romantic ode featured a female harpist, who elevated the intro and luxurious melody.

“Forever Young” was rousing as always, with the women on backing vocals, banjo and fiddle now wearing tartan miniskirts. During an extended instrumental, Stewart exited for another outfit change (and possibly medication) while the ladies turned it into a fun, mini “Riverdance”-type display. “Maggie May” was dispatched mid-set, prompted a loud crowd singalong. The always ebullient J’Anna Jacoby shined on the mandolin solo and another female musician vigorously added fresh keyboard sounds.

photo: Rankin, courtesy Republic Records

A short acoustic set started with “The First Cut is the Deepest” (paired with more gorgeous screen visuals and another fine Jacoby fiddle solo) as many of the musicians were seated in a row alongside Stewart. “Have I Told You Lately” was preceded by a funny aside about how the singer adored Van Morrison, but not his cantankerousness onstage.

Finally, the show took on more of a party vibe at the end as the band launched into a rousing “Stay with Me” and “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy,” complete the balloon drop and music solos galore.

In a career that spans nearly 40 years, Pat Benatar had never shared a concert stage with Rod Stewart – until Sunday. Backed by a three-piece band, including guitarist/co-songwriter/husband Neil Giraldo, Benatar was in strong vocal form during a solid 50-minute Inland Empire set.

Opening with “All Fired Up,” she transcended some sound system issues and trilled away on a rocking “We Live for Love.” A subtle piano intro by Giraldo led into a full-bore attack during “Promises in the Dark.” The pair did the lush “We Belong” semi-acoustically, as usual. Then Benatar explained what inspired “Hell is for Children,” the harrowing tale of abuse from 1980 album “Crimes of Passion” and it was intense. The crowd responded with loud approval for “Love is a Battlefield” before she finished with the hard charging “Heartbreaker,” which surprisingly segued into a cover of Merle Travis and June Carter Cash's “Ring of Fire.” 

Setlist: Rod Stewart, Ontario Business Bank Arena, Oct. 28, 2018

Main set: Infatuation/Havin’ a Party/Some Guys Have All the Luck/Rhythm of My Heart/Rollin’ & Tumblin’/Tonight’s the Night/Forever Young/Maggie May/Downtown Train/First Cut is the Deepest/You’re in My Heart/Have I Told You Lately/[Nutbush City Limits-band only]/Stay with Me/Do Ya Think I’m Sexy

Encore: Sailing/Sweet Little Rock 'n' Roller