Keep Rockin and God Bless you Too!

What a great show THANKS!!!!!!

The entertainment began at 8 p.m. emceed by another CSUF alum, Marc Cherry, the writer of hit TV show "Desperate Housewives". Students from CSUF's School of the Arts entertained us with dance and song including a hilarious parody number of "Desperate Housewives" sung to the tune of the Eagles' "Desperado". There were speeches by Milton Gordon, CSUF's President, awards given to Orangewood Children's Foundation and spotlights on the school's President's and Guardian Scholars, all of whom were seated in VIP seats at the event. Just prior to the appearance of Stevie Nicks, the students did a retrospective of her illustrious career complete with photos on the big screens and a beautiful rendition of "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You". The students themselves exhibited amazing talent and put on an entertaining and respectable show. But, alas, the audience had waited long enough for the rock icon gypsy and finally, after much adeui, she appeared in all her mystical glory.

Long blond hair flowing nearly to her waist, dressed in black leather pants, high heals, and a black top accented with a gold and black shawl, she hit us with a rockin' version of "Stand Back". Her set also included covers of Tom Petty's "I Need To Know", and Dave Matthews' "Crash". Several costume changes later brought us "Gold Dust Woman", her signature ballad "Landslide", as well as "Dreams". These songs and her very presence took me back to the 1970's when I first saw her with Fleetwood Mac on the football field at Cal State Chico just after she and Lindsay Buckingham had joined the band.

The years have been a friend to her blessing her with lovely skin and a figure anyone half her age (she's 59) would be happy with and a voice showing no signs of wear and tear. She engaged the crowd with her stories about how the songs came into her repertoire whether they were hers or covers. She clearly did not like the teleprompter and chose to acknowledge the dignitaries, the audience, the donors and give high praise to the students who opened the show. She spoke from her heart when she said she was touched by the tribute they did for her and at the end of the show she made a point of how important it is that art and education be supported.

"The Edge of Seventeen" brought many of the college kids to the front of the stage. God knows I had to restrain myself from joining them being the seasoned rocker that I am and a long-time Stevie fan. They flocked to her singing along and reaching out to touch her. She reached out to as many as she could touching hands, blowing kisses. It was quite a thrill to see one of the beautiful poets of my youth connecting so intenesly with today's encouraging them to vote and pursue their dreams. Who better than the purveyor of poetic dreams than she? She is an inspiration to young and old. Rock on, Welsh Witch.

Still, it was interesting and good to see Stevie support such an event.

The show really piced up speed, with Stevie's voice as good as ever, Waddy Wachtel doing his inspired guitar virtuoso show, and nice touches like an astonishing if brief piano solo by Scott Plunkett and even a drum/percussion solos!?

Nice to hear Stevie mention her 'favorite rocker' Tom Petty and wish him luck on his Super Bowl gig, she also did a convincing version of 'I Need To Know' and when finally enough people rushed the front of the stage, it went from a celebration of education to a celebration of music.

Stevie spent plenty of time being personable, introducing songs, the band, and grabbing hands with those in front of the stage. If I did not know better, I would say she is still in her early 30's, with all of the energy, stage presence, and amazing talent we all discovered in the mid 70's still there, perhaps even better than ever.