Rod Stewart: Absolutely Live Album (1982)

A Rockin' Live Extravaganza

Rod Stewart’s Absolutely Live double LP, was released in the UK on November 6, 1982, on Riva Records (catalogue: RVLP 17). This 19-track live album captured Stewart’s 1981–1982 tour, with hits like “Maggie May” and “Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?.”

Produced by George Tutko – engineer, mixing Ricky DeLena – assistant engineer, it featured guest vocals from Kim Carnes and Tina Turner on “Stay with Me.” Recorded at The Forum (Los Angeles), Long Beach Arena, San Diego Sports Arena, Wembley Arena (London), and The NEC (Birmingham), it peaked at No. 35 on the UK Albums Chart for 5 weeks. Issued in a gatefold sleeve, the CD version omitted “The Great Pretender” and “Guess I'll Always Love You” to fit a single disc. Liner notes state no overdubs.

Album Overview

Release Details:

Label: Riva Records (UK).

Formats: 2 x 12-inch vinyl LP (gatefold); later CD (single disc).

℗ & ©: 1982 Riva Records Ltd. Engineered by George Tutko.

Assistant engineer: Ricky DeLena. Mixed by Rod Stewart and Jim Cregan.

UK Release Formats and Track Listings

Absolutely Live was released in the UK in 1982 as a double vinyl LP:

2 x 12-Inch Vinyl LP (Catalogue: RVLP 17):

Side A:

1. “The Stripper” (0:10)

2. “Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me)” (4:10)

3. “Sweet Little Rock and Roller” (4:25)

4. “Hot Legs” (4:52)

5. “Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” (4:23)

6. “The Great Pretender” (3:34)

Side B:

1. “Passion” (5:04)

2. “She Won't Dance with Me / Little Queenie” (4:34)

3. “You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)” (4:34)

4. “Rock My Plimsoul” (4:24)

Side C:

1. “Young Turks” (5:28)

2. “Guess I'll Always Love You” (4:51)

3. “Gasoline Alley” (2:15)

4. “Maggie May” (5:08)

5. “Tear It Up” (3:26)

Side D:

1. “Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?” (6:04)

2. “Sailing” (4:45)

3. “I Don't Want to Talk About It” (4:34)

4. “Stay with Me” (5:34) – Guest vocals: Kim Carnes, Tina Turner

Packaging: Gatefold sleeve.

Cassette, Album (Catalogue: RV4-17):

Side A:

“The Stripper” (0:12)

“Tonight I'm Yours” (4:01)

“Sweet Little Rock And Roller” (4:03)

“Hot Legs” (4:13)

“Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright)” (3:58)

“The Great Pretender” (3:34)

“Passion” (5:04)

“She Won't Dance With Me / Little Queenie” (4:34)

“You're In My Heart (The Final Acclaim)” (4:34)

“Rock My Plimsoul” (4:24)

Side B:

“Young Turks” (5:05)

“Guess I'll Always Love You” (4:51)

“Gasoline Alley” (2:14)

“Maggie May” (5:03)

“Tear It Up” (3:14)

“Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?” (5:37)

“Sailing” (4:27)

“I Don't Want To Talk About It” (4:28)

“Stay With Me” (5:14)

Production and Context

Produced by Rod Stewart.

Co-producer/mixing: Jim Cregan.

Engineered by George Tutko.

Assistant engineer: Ricky DeLena.

Band: Rod Stewart (vocals, producer, mixing),

Jim Cregan (guitars, backing vocals, mixing),

Robin Le Mesurier (guitars, backing vocals),

Wally Stocker (guitars),

Kevin Savigar (piano, keyboards, backing vocals),

Jimmy Zavala (harmonicas, saxophones, keyboards, bells),

Jay Davis (bass, backing vocals),

Tony Brock (drums).

Guests: Kim Carnes, Tina Turner (vocals on “Stay with Me”).

Absolutely Live captured Stewart’s 1981–1982 tour, with no overdubs. Released amid his synth-rock phase, it followed Tonight I'm Yours (1981).

Album Chart Performance

Peak Position: 35

Weeks on Chart: - November 7, - December 11, 1982.

UK Singles Released and Chart Performance

No singles were released from the album in the UK, but "Guess I'll Always Love You" b/w "Rock My Plimsoul" was released throughout Europe and worldwide.

Legacy and Collectibility

Absolutely Live is a Stewart live peak, with “Stay with Me” featuring Carnes and Turner. First pressings with intact gatefold sleeves are valued—verify catalogue RVLP 17. Streams on Spotify via reissues preserve the live energy. This LP is a must-have for Stewart fans and ‘80s rock collectors.

Do you have Absolutely Live in your vinyl stack? Which track rocks your night? Share in the comments

Do you have Tonight I'm Yours in your vinyl stack? Which track owns the night? Share in the comments!

Have you snagged this Python gem in your vinyl collection? Does “In A Broken Dream” haunt you? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Prince Vault, Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube

What’s the next classic vinyl you’d like to feature? Share in the comments!