LIFE at 68 is somewhat different for Rod Stewart to how life is for the vast majority of other men of a similar age.

Most are probably starting to think about retirement and enjoying having a bit more time to themselves now that the kids have grown up and left home.

But for Rod Stewart there is a little 'un to occupy his time by day and then there is some serious rock and rolling to be done most nights in front of his thousands of adoring fans.

But then Mr Stewart is certainly not your typical 68-year-old bloke.

Back on stage in Manchester just the other week for the first of a two night engagement, Stewart performed a set lasting two hours which comprised of twenty songs spanning every period of his lengthy career right up to his latest and excellent new studio album Time - and he demonstrated that he is still a long way off being ready to settle for the quiet life.

His ‘look’ has, amazingly, hardly altered over the past 20 or 30 years.

Yes, as you’d expect, he’s a little bit more jowly these days and he hides a very slight paunch, but he is still resplendent in the hair department, with his trademark fashionably dishevelled mop gloriously intact and, he is still capable of wearing, without looking ridiculous, the kind of clothes that most sixty-somethings would have pushed to the back of their wardrobe a long time ago, resigned to the fact that there they would forever more languish (that’s if they ever wore such garb in the first place).

The trousers remain almost illegally tight and Stewart retains his fondness for sporting an array of very brightly coloured shirts and jackets that included on the night a lime green satin suit nicely teamed with a green and white polka dot shirt.

Rod Stewart’s life has been defined almost as much by his partying, boozing and of course, his legendary womanising as it has by his fabulous music but it is the music that makes the most lasting impression on you and it is the music that will one day be his great legacy.

There have, by his own admission, been some dodgy songs and albums over the years but Rod Stewart still has a back catalogue that is the envy of many an artist.

Songs such as You’re In My Heart, The Killing Of Georgie, You Wear It Well and Tonight’s The Night are all enduring classics that wowed the crowd on the night.

The undoubted highlight of the show was the segment where Stewart was backed by just a string ensemble, including a harp and violin, for acoustic performances of his hits First Cut Is The Deepest, Have I Told You Lately?, I Don't Want To Talk About It and the lovely new ballad Brighton Beach, all of which showcased beyond doubt that there is still much life left in Stewart's raspy yet always soulful vocals.

A nice touch too was the dedication of the emotionally stirring Rhythm Of My Heart to 'soldiers past and present', while Forever Young was sung in memory of the tragically murdered Drummer Lee Rigby.

Despite his age, Stewart still can’t resist any opportunity to play up to his laddish, football-loving, ladies man reputation so we got the random booting of footballs from the stage to all quarters of the arena during his rendition of Hot Legs and the cheeky comments to his short-skirted female band members and backing singers, such as his reminder to them to 'keep your legs crossed' while they were precariously perched on stools.

For the big finish’and romp home to the finishing line, Stewart fired off what is arguably his signature tune Maggie May and the always fun, if lightweight, Baby Jane.

Returning for the obligatory encores, Stewart first performed the oft-derided but sure-fire concert and fan favourite Sailing, that had everyone swaying and singing along in unison with their arms aloft.

This was followed by the final song of the night, the tongue-in-cheek Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? complete with a huge balloon release from the arena’s ceiling.

Judging by this performance, Rod Stewart, just like The Rolling Stones too, is showing no signs of wanting to grow old gracefully yet, and that can only be very good news.