It's all inside ROD!
FANFEST REVIEW
ROD STEWART FANS COME TOGETHER!!
Diehard Rod Stewart fans from all over the U.S. put things on hold at the homefront and travelled by plane and car
to attend the 2nd Annual ROD STEWART FANFEST in Memphis, Tennessee this past summer. The town that cradles the Rhythm and Blues and pays careful attention to keeping it from fading, may not exactly realize what went on between July 21-23,2000, but for the group of Rod fans, the bond shared will be long lasting and the memories will not soon be forgotten.
Through search engines, chat clubs and e-mails, the group were first able to form their bond centered around personal stories of past experiences surrounding Rod Stewart, his career, as well as the overwhelming desire to applaud, even if from a distance, further accomplishments in his music and life. Miraculously the internet turned what seemed to be a million miles and made it into a distance as short as the three foot power cord in the back of a computer.
Without a current tour, it seemed necessary to get together to help keep the flame alive. The event celebrating Rod's music and it's ability to unite people from all over, came together as the Radisson Hotel was selected for the centerpiece and the Hard Rock Cafe was given the rights to be the initial meeting place. No other agenda or activities were planned beforehand. All had confidence that conversation about ROD STEWART, his affect on each one of their lives and hours of music sets featuring Rod and maybe an occassional Otis Redding or Sam Cooke tune, would make for a memorable weekend.
The group began checking into the hotel as early as Thursday evening and waited somewhat nervously for the moment they would come face to face with strangers, as least in terms of seeing one another in person. Some had in fact met at different concerts on the last leg of Rod's 1999 US tour, which certainly helped the entire group defend their decision to come to Memphis to the friends and family around them back at home who thought they were out of their mind!
Each and every introduction was full of joy and complete astonishment as everyone had the feeling they had known eachother their entire lives; like family, only better! Over the course of the afternoon, the crowd gathered in one particular hotel room, which was decorated in Rod concert posters, Scottish flags and Celtic football paraphenelia. Plenty of drinks, along with Rod memories and memoribilia were shared as the event began in an astonishing festive spirit as such a large group of people shared so much in common.
The event officially kicked off Friday night at 8:00pm at the Hard Rock Cafe. Once arriving and taking their seats, the group were soon enjoying several Rod Stewart songs as the Hard Rock managment team knew what this group wanted to hear. After eating, FANFEST made it's way onto the four to five block-long party zone, known as Beale Street, which feautures pedestrian traffic only and is stacked with clubs, from soulful blues to modern day hip hop. It didn't take long for the fans to find a party, first at Silky O'Sullivan's Irish bar, complete with dueling pianos. After a few drinks and many laughs, the group moved a few clubs away to B.B. King's blues bar. From the spectacular painting of blue's legends, B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughn, to framed pictures of Otis Redding, Muddy Waters, along with the incredible sounds of the band, this place bleeds the blues. The group helped fill the dance floor until the early hours of Saturday morning.
After managing a few hours of sleep, the party of smiles, laughs and drinks continued while the last of the faithful made it into town. In between an all day hotel room-hopping party, the swimming pool set the stage for the afternoon festivities as Rod Stewart music continued to be featured on the portable stereo, while the fans made a splash of the event. Some even made it into the pool, even against their will!
As the party continued into the evening, the night became magical. The group gathered in yet another hotel room, and from the mass collection of Rod memorabilia that was brought to the event, a hat that Rod wore during the 1999 US tour and a pair of shoes he wore during the Every Beat Of My Heart tour in 1986, surfaced and became props for the costume and interview session. Each fan took turns respectfully wearing the items, while answering questions such as 'What influence has Rod Stewart had on your life', to, 'what would you like to say to Rod if given the chance.' Cameras flashed, some of the group laughed while some cried to the heartfelt responses.
The night and early morning hours were spent on Beale Street again, with a return to B.B. King's club and then a soul stirring performance at the Blues City Cafe, by a band possessed by the blues. After another couple hours of sleep, breakfast was served as the group searched for a reason to end their time together. The farewell's started just after noon but for several of the new friends, goodbye wasn't realized until late Sunday night and even until Monday afternoon.
To many people, this might all seem a little much, but we certainly all know how it feels to be loved, to share smiles, laughter and good times with people around us. The problem most often is finding a common interest; these people share one and it burns like wildfire. The way Rod Stewart has touched each and everyone of them is nearly impossible to explain to those out there, who, as one fan put it, do not 'hear what we hear'. Most of this group insist that Rod himself couldn't possibly fully realize his impact on his fans and their lives; how Rod's music can instantly turn a frown into a smile!!
Put one on, a smile that is, as you grab any Rod Stewart recording. Turn it up and feel the stress and trials of this life fall down around you.
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