Stewart back as senior Vegas hep-cat

Back in 1971, did “Rod the Mod” ever think he would be singing “Stay With Me” in Las Vegas when he was 70?

Good chance of it, actually. One theme that emerges from Rod Stewart’s autobiography “Rod” is that he was always a pragmatic lad, making sure he had money in the bank to fund his private jets, Ferraris and supermodels.

As Stewart returns to Caesars Palace on Tuesday for a batch of shows through Feb. 15, he might give fans a chance to sing out a belated happy birthday, though he rang in his 70th in fine form on Jan. 10.

A 1940s-themed birthday party at his Beverly Hills, Calif., home included a two-song reunion with Faces mates Ronnie Wood and Kenney Jones.

Stewart’s Las Vegas shows are good-humored affairs that surround him with miniskirted musicians and backup singers. And he always kicks a few soccer balls into the audience to celebrate a solid career retrospective.

Contact Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.