Back in 2017, fans in Florida were treated to a surprise when two icons—Sir Rod Stewart and Cyndi Lauper—joined forces for a dazzling live rendition of “This Old Heart of Mine.” The moment was all the more special because Lauper herself handpicked the track, which originally appeared on Stewart’s 1975 album Atlantic Crossing.
The stage lit up with personality and flair: Rod in his trademark silver jacket radiating showbiz charm, and Cyndi rocking a bold rose-red outfit, topped off with a sparkling black hat and her signature pink hair. Age was no barrier—at 72 and 64, their voices carried the same vitality that first made them legends, and their playful dance moves had the crowd cheering.
For Stewart, a London-born powerhouse who became one of rock’s most recognizable voices with classics like Maggie May, Reason to Believe, and albums such as Every Picture Tells a Story, it was another reminder of his staying power. Lauper, meanwhile, brought her own unique energy, the same spirit that launched her into stardom in the 1980s with hits like Girls Just Want to Have Fun and Time After Time. Beyond her pop career, she later broke new ground as the Tony Award–winning composer of Kinky Boots.
Before the duet kicked off, Lauper shared a personal story about her early days performing Rod’s songs in a cover band—making this collaboration feel like her career had come full circle. Their chemistry wasn’t new, either. The two have been friends since the ’80s, often sharing stages at events and touring together multiple times.
Though millions have since watched their 2017 performance online, the song itself has a history of reinvention. This Old Heart of Mine first belonged to The Isley Brothers in 1966 before Stewart reimagined it in 1975, and later again in 1989 as a duet with Ronald Isley. But in Florida that night, with Rod and Cyndi’s star power colliding, it felt brand new once more—a celebration of friendship, music, and timeless artistry.
