Rod Stewart’s masterclass in showbiz

FROM his dad jokes to heartfelt celebration of family, Rod Stewart has shown yet again why, at 70, he remains the quintessential entertainer.

Rod Stewart pictured at the Qantas Credit Union Arena in Haymarket as part of his 2015 Australian Tour. Picture: Richard Dobson

ROD Stewart is adorable.

His dad jokes, his heartfelt celebration of family and the recognition his songs have woven themselves into the fabric of millions of lives for five decades, was potently evident at his Qantas Credit Union Arena concert in Sydney on Wednesday night.

Stewart remains a barometer of the quintessential entertainer and at 70, delivers a masterclass in showbiz.

The flair for the right anecdote at the right time and warmth of delivery never feels contrived, no matter how many times he has delivered it.

Beloved performer. Picture: Richard Dobson

Showman. Picture: Richard Dobson

The enviable repertoire of hits create a natural ebb and flow of a show which spans everything from his Celtic folk DNA through the R & B, soul and blues which influenced an entire generation of English and Scottish rock ’n roll legends who remain revered practitioners of their craft 50 years later.

The showman knows how to really press the heart buttons, with his four-year-old son Hayden joining him on stage for Baby Jane and a tribute to the Anzac Centenary at the end of Rhythm Of My Heart.

Natural-born comedian ... Rod Stewart at the Qantas Credit Union Arena in Haymarket as part of his 2015 Australian tour. Picture: Richard Dobson

He is a natural-born comedian, playing up the hair which gets a fresh coif at each costume change.

And the soccer ball kicking schtick never gets old.

But what remains his undisputed gotcha, every single show, is that voice, a signature so bold it announces itself within the first few notes of every one of his songs.

Still got it ... Rod Stewart charmed his Aussie fans. Picture: Richard Dobson

It is remarkable and constant through the hours of the show, the years his current tour traverses from the Faces (Stay With Me) through to his tribute to his dad (Can’t Stop Me now) from his most recent studio record.

You couldn’t fault his generosity of hits from Maggie May to Tonight’s The Night which covered all the ground a fan could want.

It was one of those shows you know everyone left feeling damn happy about life.

Originally published as Rod Stewart’s masterclass in showbiz