I love you Stevie Nicks... Rock on!

Rock On Stevie.........

Tom and the Heartbreakers went through nine songs before Stevie came onstage. I had never seen Tom Petty in concert before, but I really like his music, and I got absorbed by the show even though I was constantly checking the stage door for signs of Stevie. Tom introduced the band, and talked about some of them being little boys growing up together in Gainesville. Most of his comments were really low-key and mellow; you get the impression that they could just have easily been performing a few numbers in their parents' garages as staging a full-on rock concert at a major venue. Anyway, Tom finished off the band introduction by saying something like, "And here's our soul sister Stevie Nicks." No pomp, no fanfare, no built up anticipation---just a fond acknowledgement that Stevie happened to be there, as though she were just milling about around the stage and they thought it would be pretty neat if she came on for a few tunes. Stevie seemed delighted to be there, but she looked a little anxious before she came out, which seems to be just a part of who she is as a performer/artist. She apparently flubbed the lines in the first chorus of Stop Draggin' My Heart Around, and although it wasn't all that obvious a mistake, she seemed a tad embarrassed. During the musical interlude between the verses, she said something to Tom about being really nervous, and she made an illustrative shaking motion with her hand. After the song, she told the audience that performing w/ Tom still made her so nervous that she forgot the lyrics to the song, that he had that effect on her. It was cute; I hope she didn't feel too bad in front of Tom's audience.

I thought "I Need to Know" was terrific---very high octane on the energy with that one. Then Stevie left, and Tom casually mentioned that Stevie would be back, that she would be coming back out a couple of times during the show. He said this in the same laid back tone that he said most things, and again, I had the image that Stevie was just going to go wander around a bit and then mosey onto the stage again whenever the mood struck. Stevie, on the other hand, seemed very prepared, alert, and ready to go when her turns came around. I thought this was an interesting contrast between Tom and Stevie. At the same time, they seem very equally matched creatively, despite their different personalities and styles. They just act like really good buddies.

Back to the show: Stevie came on again for "Insider," and her voice was wonderful. The audience hooted its appeciation for her several times. I recommend getting ahold of some video of this if you possibly can; it will be worth the effort. So, after "Insider," Stevie made her way over to the side of the stage, with a plain, non-beaded and ribbon-bedecked microphone, and sang back up for "Learning to Fly" and "Don't Come Around Here No More." These were the parts where she entertained herself over in her own little corner when she wasn't singing on the chorus. She also encouraged the crowd to participate in the songs.

Stevie came on once more for "American Girl," at the end of the show, and then did the group farewell and bows with the band. Tom thanked the audience for coming, etc., and Stevie simply said "Thank you" as she passed one of the microphones on her way offstage. She waved and smiled, but she didn't act as though the audience was hers---no extended waving and blowing of kisses as she does in some of her own shows. I thought her attitude was very respectful. That's the new thing that I took away from seeing her this time (there's always something new), and I was happy to see another aspect of her as a person and performer. I don't want to diminish the whole show by focusing on Stevie, but she is the reason I drove from Atlanta to go to this concert. Nevertheless, I'm really happy I saw Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and I think other Stevie fans in the audience really got a lot out of the whole show, too. Once again, I feel like I've been led to good things by going to see Stevie perform.

This was truly a concert of Rock Legends. Tom Petty with special guest, Stevie Nicks. Tom started the evening and when introducing the Heartbreakers, he introduced Stevie as his soul sister. The crowd showed tremendous love for her and the journey began.

The first song with the two of them was "Stop Dragging My Heart Around." They sang it with so much energy. Her voice was flawless and the admiration of the fans was obvious.

The next song was, "I Need to Know." Let's just say, "She is still and always will be the Queen of Rock." Come on Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, let's get Stevie in there as a solo act. She absolutely rocked the house with her distinctive vocals and presence.

She made several other appearances throughout the evening and one of the most memorable was when the two of them sang a song they recorded in the 80's, "Insider." The live version of this song that I heard tonight should be released to the public. Sales and radio airplay would be guaranteed.

Stevie did backup vocals for many of Tom's songs and one of the highlights of the evening was when she played the tamborine with the energy that only she can deliver during a light show. She truly looked like a white-winged dove as strobe lights made her movements appear magical. She was truly a vision to behold.

If you have the opportunity to see one of the remaining seven shows where she will be Tom's special guest, don't miss it. You will be watching two rock legends at their best.

I love you always Stevie,
Rick Slade

Fortunately for us, the Heartbreakers were quite leisurely in taking the stage. They didn’t come out until about 8:45 – but oh boy, it was worth the wait. Tom came out in a velvet jacket, collared shirt, and vest – a lot of clothes for a muggy summer night! He and the guys were glowing with that special opening night energy, and the excitement was in the air.

Without wasting time, they leapt right into Listen to Her Heart. I was amazed at how tight the band was. I’ve never heard them sound better. The second song, You Don’t Know How It Feels, was a huge crowd pleaser. Tom happily greeted the audience, who happily screamed back, and the momentum kept building with Won’t Back Down, and then Free Fallin’. The songs were flying by. I was a little disappointed to hear them launch into FF without Stevie on stage, as I’d cherished a hope that they might do it together, but really, I wasn’t about to complain. The thirteen-year-olds in front of me held up their lighters.

After Free Fallin’, Tom announced the upcoming album and asked if we’d mind hearing a couple new songs. Of course we didn’t. So he played a new one called Saving Grace. It was hard to get a good feel for it live, but it seemed promising. Nonetheless, unfamiliar songs always lose some people’s attention, so he reeled them back in with Mary Jane’s Last Dance. Everyone cheered wildly. Tom took advantage of this enthusiasm to announce that now they wanted to do a couple older songs that had influenced them back when they were kids. The first was a song I didn’t know but would imagine is called something like “M-A-N Man” because that’s what the chorus said repeatedly.

Then, without pausing or saying a word, Mike ripped into a very familiar guitar lick. My jaw hit the floor. I knew what it was, but it was so unexpected that I could hardly place it. I turned to Elise and screamed, “This is Oh Well! Peter Green! Holy crap!” Her mouth fell open too.

It rocked. Indescribably. They were note-for-note true to the original – yet it was Tom Petty! Covering Fleetwood Mac! This should happen more often, I thought. I was scanning the stage for Stevie – would she appear mid-song? But the song came to a wailing, smoking conclusion, without any sign of her. But I didn’t have time to be impatient because next came the Traveling Wilburys’ Handle with Care, dedicated to “all Wilburys near and far, wherever they may be traveling tonight.”

At the end of that, Tom began band introductions: first Benmont, then Ron, Steve, and Mike, and last but not least, Stevie! She strode onto the stage confidently, smiling, and made her way to her microphone as the band kicked into SDMHA and the crowd went wild. She was wearing a layered handkerchief skirt and black top and looked lovelier than ever. Everyone around me was practically frothing at the mouth, shouting, “Stevie! Stevie!” and “Petty! Petty!” I hollered at the top of my lungs.

Stevie was on fire. She took her standard duet pose – her back to the audience, singing over her right shoulder so we could see her profile, staring Tom down. All that was missing was the Silver-Springs-video-stalking-across-the-stage. The energy bounced back and forth between them. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed all these years of hearing SDMHA with Waddy, but this was a whole new ballgame. I’ve never heard the song rock so hard. And both of their voices sounded so good! I don’t think I’ve ever heard Stevie in finer form. As the song ended she giggled and said, “Tom still makes me so nervous that I forget the lyrics to this song that I’ve been singing for 10 or 15 years!” I didn’t notice her mess up, though. Perhaps due to the massive amounts of adrenaline surging through my veins.

I could hardly imagine what they’d do next. I was too excited even to guess. At this point they could’ve sung Pop Goes the Weasel and I would have been ecstatic. So when they launched into I Need to Know, I was over the moon – especially when Stevie took the lead vocal. Again, I’d never heard the song sound stronger.

After this, Stevie left the stage. Tom took center stage again and played a concert-only tune called Melinda, followed by another new song perhaps entitled Took A Long Time to Get Back Here or something along those lines.

At this point I had taken a desperately speedy bathroom break, and as I came charging down the sidewalk still arranging my skirt, I heard Tom bringing Stevie back out on stage. He was saying something like, “We’re going to do one of the very first songs we ever sang together, from an album of mine called Hard Promises,” as I climbed over the rows in front of me to get back to my seat. “Insider! Insider!” I shouted to Elise. “Oh my god, Insider!”

This was my favorite part of the whole show. The audience got quiet and the magic that has always infused that song spread throughout the stadium. What a joy to hear this song on a night when their voices were both so strong and rich; they blended together exquisitely. Her voice was rich, lush, burgundy velvet, Tom’s a silver thread weaving through it. I was overcome.

And to my delight, Stevie didn’t leave when it was over. She stepped to a side microphone and sang backup and played the tambourine on a softer, somewhat acoustic version of Learning to Fly, followed by Don’t Come Around Here No More. By the time they began Refugee, she had stepped back in the shadows, and stayed hidden during Running Down a Dream, the final number.

Tom and the band waved goodnight and left the stage. The crowed shrieked belligerently. Of course, a few minutes later we were rewarded with a rollicking rendition of You Wreck Me. Then came Gloria. All this time I was hoping Stevie would come back out, of course, but trying not to be disappointed if she didn’t. But I was rewarded when she reappeared on the last number. She had donned her lovely top hat and plume, and although the outfit didn’t suit the mood of American Girl quite as much as HAEWAFY, it still made me smile. She and Tom were grinning at each other as they sang and it made me happy to watch.

As the band joined hands for their final bow, the guys grabbed Stevie and pulled her into the line. They were all laughing and jostling each other around, hand in hand. They all grinned from ear to ear as they bowed and said goodnight. Stevie managed a quick “goodnight!” before she was jostled happily off the stage. It made me glad to see them having so much fun. I never dared to dream of such a show – especially in Charlotte, where nothing special ever comes! - but wow, it was better than I ever could have hoped for.

There was nothing with Stevie as far as merchandise.

I seen the security guy. I asked if he would allow me to give the flowers to her, so he radio'd the front row supervisor who came over and he said he'd talk with Tom's security but he couldn't promise anything. I said ok and thanks.. (I didn't see Chris at all). Well, they let me lay them up there on the stage but it was stage left, way too far.. She wasn't going to do her usual walk and sweep the stage (of course i understand why, it's Tom's show). So she didn't get them and I was told her and Tom both jetted out of there right after. So we headed out.

It was great, we had a lot of fun.. I was impressed with Tom and Stevie both, the venue was packed..

Oh, I didn't try bringing a camera in, yet I found out cameras "were allowed".. Geez, had I known, I would have brought my digital. Ah'well.. Oh yeah, they were filming it, but not for a dvd release.. :(

ps: she wore black of course with a pink chiffon layer on the skirt. I didn't see what shoes.. eh, sigh...