EVERETT — The first person arrived at 4 a.m. Saturday, and by the time Rod Stewart tickets went on sale six hours later, there was a line halfway down the block.
The 200 or so fans in line at the Everett Events Center ticket window — equal parts men and women — were much like the salsa aisle at the grocery store.
There were the mild fans, the ones who turn up the radio when "Forever Young" comes on. They may even sing along, too.
Then there were the medium fans, people who have seen the rocker in concert before or who danced to "Have I Told You Lately" at their wedding.
And then there were the spiciest of Stewart fans, people like Seattle resident Brad Elder, who was one of the first in line Saturday morning. The guy has a Rod Stewart caricature tattooed on his right shoulder.
His tattoo was based on art from the album "A Nod is as Good as a Wink to a Blind Horse" by the British pop band Faces, of which Stewart was the lead singer in the early ’70s.
"He’s my all-time favorite. I’ve seen him every time I could since I was like 15 years old," said the fortyish Elder, who also collects Stewart music and memorabilia. "When he comes to town, people call me to let me know."
"I love his style," Elder added. "I’ve always had a dream to have a cocktail with him. Just to sit down and drink a cocktail with him."
When Stewart comes to the Everett Events Center on April 3, the international pop star will be only the second musical act for the arena, which opened in September.
Since the concert was announced less than a week ago, the arena has been bombarded with interest, Everett Events Center spokesman Eric Blankenship said.
"People are walking up, the phone lines are busy, the Internet is busy, it’s going very, very well," he said of ticket sales.
Janet Tucker of Kenmore and Sheryl Van Dyke of Edmonds bought five tickets.
"We love Rod. He’s a classic," Tucker said. "He still knows how to rock."
"And shake his little butt," Van Dyke added. "He’s still going good after all these years."
Known for his rasping voice, his at times unusual fashion sense and for his dating escapades with models and actresses, Stewart, 59, is also known for decades’ worth of pop hits.
Beginning in the ’70s, he topped the charts with songs including "Maggie May," "Tonight’s the Night," "You’re in My Heart," "Forever Young," "Downtown Train," "D’Ya Think I’m Sexy," "Every Picture Tells a Story" and "Have I Told You Lately."
Stewart, who MTV calls one of the biggest superstars of the century, will make Everett his only Washington appearance during his From Maggie May to the Great American Songbook Tour 2004.
Snohomish resident Scott Olsen said he grew up listening to Stewart.
" ‘Hot Legs’ and ‘Maggie May’ — I’ve followed his music for years," Olsen said.
Years ago, he listened to Stewart songs on eight-track tapes, and when he married his wife, Carmyn, two years ago, they played a Stewart song at their wedding.
"So did we," said Everett couple Jeff and Debbie Toman, turning around in line.
Both the Tomans have seen the British pop star in concert before. And both say it’s worth shelling out the bucks.
"I’ve been listening since seventh grade," Debbie Toman said.
"He’s fantastic," Jeff Toman added.
Reporter Jennifer Warnick: 425-339-3429 or jwarnick@heraldnet.com.
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