When it was announced in January that Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks would tour together, there were a lot of “Huh. Cool.” reactions.
They’re not the most obvious pairing, but, some have joked, with their similarly raspy voices, a throat lozenge company might be an apt tour sponsor.
But think about it a little more and the combination of two of rock’s most enduring stars makes plenty of sense.
Stewart has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide in his 40-plus-year solo career, while Nicks’ 60 million in her post-Fleetwood Mac life marks her among the female elite.
At 66 and 62, respectively, Stewart and Nicks share the same demographic of fans, while both have achieved multi-generational appeal – Nicks, most recently, with the use of “Landslide” on Fox’s “Glee,” a show she adores.
So, which canny tour promoter finally realized this golden connection?
None, as it turns out.
“I was throwing some names about and my daughter said, ‘Why not Stevie Nicks?’ and I said that’s a jolly good idea. She’s iconic,” Stewart said.
Nicks, who has a new album, “In Your Dreams,” dropping May 3, quickly agreed to this five-week “Heart & Soul” jaunt since the dates wouldn’t bump into any album promotion obligations.
The tour launches March 20 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and visits Philips Arena on March 24.
Last month, in an exclusive interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Stewart and Nicks shared a phone line – he from England, where he was doting on new son, Aiden, and she from Los Angeles – to discuss the tour and each of their future plans.
While at the time they had yet to meet for any rehearsals, neither seemed to anticipate any issues working together.
“We don’t have to compromise at all,” Nicks said. “We’re way too old to worry about that.”
Nicks will open the shows – “I’m going to introduce you for 20 minutes. It’s the chivalrous thing to do. I’m going to come out in my underpants,” Stewart joked – and each will play a full set with their own bands.
But, of course, there will shared stage time – hence the novelty of the tour.
“Reason to Believe” and “Young Turks” are two of Stewart’s early picks for duet slots.
“There’s millions of songs to choose from. When we can sit on stools and go through things, something you don’t even expect might come out of the woodwork,” Nicks said.
The duo has reportedly been rehearsing at a high school sound stage in West Palm Beach this week.
Stewart said his set will stick primarily to his rock smashes, with perhaps one tune from his extensive “Great American Songbook” phase. Nicks, also, will concentrate on her best-known work from Fleetwood Mac, her solo hits, and perform the new single, “Secret Love.”
Post-tour, the pair already has much of the year planned. During the interview, Stewart invited Nicks to play with him at the June 26 “Hard Rock Calling” show in London’s Hyde Park (she’s since accepted).
And Stewart is emphatic that he’s finished with “American Songbook” records.
“Ohhhhh, yes. Absolutely. I could make another five of those albums, but it’s time to move on,” he said.
The rumors of a Jeff Beck collaboration are true – “We’ve got five or six tracks in the can, and it’s moving along” – and he’s vague, but not definitive about a Faces reunion.
“I had dinner with Woody [Ron Wood] the other night. At the moment, I don’t know if Mick [Hucknall, who fronted a Faces reunion last year] will be back doing it. It wore his voice out, so I don’t know what’s going on there. But I’m not making any commitments.”
Stewart also hinted that he might return to Vegas, where he recently performed eight shows in the House of Celine Dion at Caesars Palace, later this summer.
Nicks, meanwhile, is readying her first solo release since 2001, on which she worked extensively with the Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart.
“It’s so funny. Dave said, ‘What’s going on with all of these Stewarts in your life?’” Nicks said with a chuckle. “But I had so much fun making this record. I just laughed for a solid year.”
Nicks also recently made a highly publicized appearance to the “Glee” set, which had some speculating she might be in talks for a guest appearance.
“That’s such a special show,” she said. “It’s probably going to do more to get music back in schools than anything. Kids will walk into their high schools and say, ‘Where the heck is the glee club? There it is on TV every week, so why don’t we have one?’ I think it’s that one little show that could.”
And as for a guest spot?
“That isn’t why I went to visit, but you never know.”
Concert preview
Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks
7:30 p.m. March 24. $49.50-$149.50. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
Spring concerts
Hopefully your wallet is ready to spring into action considering the number of big shows coming to the area during the next six weeks.
Here are some highlights:
Janet Jackson
Normally a big-spectacle artist, Jackson is instead promising an intimate, no-frills evening with songs exclusively from her “Number Ones” CD. Let’s hope that means more “Black Cat” and less “Feedback.”
8 p.m. March 29. $65-$250 (sold out). Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E.
Duran Duran
The Wild Boys are back, thanks to British producer Mark Ronson, a self-described Duran fanatic who convinced the band to return to its “Rio” roots for the new album, “All You Need is Now.”
8 p.m. April 4. $56.50 (sold out). Center Stage, 1374 West Peachtree St.
Lil Wayne
With Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Travis Barker and Mixmaster Mike joining him, Weezy is making good use of his first post-prison tour. The six-week jaunt kicks off March 18 in Buffalo, N.Y.
7 p.m. April 9. $49.75-$125.75. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive.
Tim McGraw
Country’s top touring act of 2010 (as per Billboard) is swapping a Hollywood script for a mic this spring and returning to the road with his Dancehall Doctors. Luke Bryan and The Band Perry, voted by fans as the top new vocal duo or group at the Academy of Country Music awards, open.
7 p.m. April 16. $29.25-$79.25 at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, 2002 Lakewood Way.
Lady Gaga
A ticket to this Monster’s Ball is a tough find, but those who gain entry will be rewarded with glitter, gyrations and garish costumes as they watch the Lady express herself with messages of inclusion and self-empowerment.
8 p.m. April 18. $49.50-$175 (sold out). The Arena at Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth.
Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
The 65-year-old blue collar rocker is visiting arenas for the first time in five years and, yes, he will play some new tunes from his forthcoming album. But no Seger show is complete without some “Old Time Rock & Roll” and “Night Moves.”
7:30 p.m. April 19. $71. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive.
Kesha
The gleefully sleazy “Tik Tok” popster has come a long way since singing backup on a Paris Hilton song in 2006. Is she a fad? The poor man’s Lady Gaga? Or just a young singer embracing her fame? Tick tock, indeed.
8 p.m. April 20. $39.50 (general admission). Sold out. The Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St.
Dove Awards
Christian music’s version of the Grammys has never been held outside of Tennessee in its 42-year history, so the pressure is on for Atlanta to demonstrate its support. The show, with expected appearances from Francesca Battistellli, Jason Crabb, Natalie Grant and Chris Tomlin, will air on GMC on April 24.
8 p.m. April 20. $25-$200. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E.
Tony Bennett
The inimitable crooner might be 84, but his voice is still supple and timeless. Given that he’s released more than 70 albums in his career, there won’t be any shortage of familiar tunes in his live show – including that one about San Francisco.
8 p.m. April 22. $52-$122. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E.
Yanni
Last month, the raven-maned Greek musician released “Truth of Touch,” his first instrumental album of original compositions in more than eight years. Critics have long-mocked his sleepy New Age music, but with more than 20 million albums sold worldwide, do you think he cares?
8 p.m. April 23. $39-$119. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E.
Tom Jones
Because his recent album, “Praise & Blame,” is comprised of spiritual and gospel covers, expect to hear plenty of those. But it would be unusual if Sir Tom didn’t pull out the hits – and the hips.
8 p.m. April 27. $47-$93. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway.
Tickets to all shows can be purchased at the venue box office, Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. All venues located in Atlanta unless otherwise noted.
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