Rod Stewart Tribute - Tonight's the Night

Lee Hedley rocked the Theatre Royal with Tonight's The Night, his rocking and jiving, high-kicking, tribute show to Rod Stewart. He was the polished showman, the energised entertainer, and an ace four-piece band were powerful in a rhythm and blues style with two dancing, backing singers. This was proper Saturday night entertainment, and being a sun-kissed holiday weekend added to the wow factor. The lead guitar was a solo act on his own, and the audience sang along like a rock choir, high on good times and happy memories.

The beams of light swept the stage and auditorium, the haze pumped and the night rocked with an 'I love ya, I love ya' vibe. Hedley had the moves, the chutzpah, the raspy Rod Stewart voice, and he got the audience going with the Sam Cooke 'Having a Party', and it was a party. Some audiences have 'All The Luck' and 'Stay Forever Young' as 'Rhythm Of My Heart'  rocked as did the Bonnie Tyler hit, 'It's A Heartache' and I for one, felt 'Some Guys Have All The Luck'.

After the interval, it was straight into 'Sweet Little Rock N Roller', and there was special stuff in 'Handbags and Gladrags'. 'First Cut Is The Deepest' was beautiful, and there was a hush for 'Have I Told You Lately', and 'Grace' got a standing ovation.

People held hands and swayed for 'Don't Wanna Talk About It'. A three-speed version of 'Proud Mary' revved up the action and by the time they got to 'Maggie May' it was standing ovation, and the encore of 'Sailing' was a sea of lights and happiness. 'Stay With Me ' was a wow and people wanted Lee Hedley to 'stay with them'.

The Royal must bring this band back again.