Vic Vaga has been impersonating Rod Stewart before he even meant to, said the Las Vegas-based tribute artist.
“When I was in college, all the girls were calling me ‘Rod Stewart’ and I resented it for so long,” he said. But, one Halloween, on a whim and a dare to himself, he dressed up as Stewart “and I never looked back,” he said.
Vaga is performing a Rod Stewart tribute show at the Mount Arrowsmith Royal Canadian Legion, 146 Hirst Ave., this Saturday.
Vaga began winning look-a-like contests, and then decided to start up a show. “There came a point where I just decided I didn’t want to work in the real world anymore,” he said.
Luckily, despite initially not liking his resemblance to Rod the Mod, Vaga grew up as a fan of the music artist.
“(His music) spoke to me lyrically, and song-craft-wise since I was a kid,” said Vaga. “Someone like Rod Stewart has written songs that are the soundtrack of many people’s lives.”
So it wasn’t hard putting in the work to really find out what made Rod, Rod.
“I had to really, really, really sit down and study what he does visually on stage,” said Vaga. “Every mannerism, every glare, every mic-stand twirl, every inflection in the voice.”
Some of the most important trademark “Rod Stewart” mannerisms include mic-stand acrobatics, messing with his hair as he sings, kicking soccer balls into the crowd, and being an audience-engaging artist, Vaga said. Performing as a tribute artist since 2010, Vaga’s now based in Las Vegas, where he performs in a show called Superstars on Stage.
This will be his first visit to Parksville, and a welcome trip back to B.C. as he’s performed in the province several times before. Vaga said he enjoys the authenticity and generosity of the people — a welcome change from Las Vegas.
Vaga’s show will focus on classic Rod Stewart hits that he said he expects will bring back fond memories for many.
Tickets for the show are $25, available at the legion. Doors open at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m.