Rod Stewart, 81, was forced to use an oxygen tank during a concert in West Valley City, Utah, on Friday night after appearing unwell and nearly collapsing onstage. Fan-shot video obtained by TMZ showed the music legend bracing himself on a keyboard stand and later a drum shield while singing his 1981 hit Young Turks at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre.
As the band finished the song, Stewart looked offstage, and attendants brought out an oxygen tank and mask. The singer breathed deeply before joking and returning to center stage. “The show must go on,” he told concertgoers. “I nearly f***ing fainted there … trying to do a … little step and the dance and everything … Would you mind if I sit down for this one?” According to reports, Stewart played the remainder of the show seated.
Recent health struggles and cancelled shows
Earlier this month, Stewart cancelled two shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas due to a sinus infection. “My apologies to my family of fans,” he said in a statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I am on vocal rest as I recover from a sinus infection. I look forward to seeing you at a future show at Caesars Palace or on tour this summer.” In a video shared by Instagram user @jpasc24, he added, “I had this awful f***ing sinus infection. I should’ve gone to the hospital, but I didn’t.”
Weeks later, Stewart axed another concert in Chula Vista, California, on his One Last Time tour. An hour before showtime, his team announced a postponement “on the advice of his doctors and following a diagnosis of an acute upper respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis.” Stewart wrote, “Following treatment, I’m feeling much better, but my voice is not. I’m very disappointed and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to my fans. I did everything I could to make the show happen tonight.”
Backlash over World Cup appearance
The rocker faced criticism when he attended a World Cup game in Boston the same weekend after cancelling the California show. In an Instagram video with his sons Liam, 31, and Alistair, 20, Stewart said, “Here we are flying off to Boston to see Scotland in the World Cup. It’s been 28 years. So these kids, I’ve told them about it, but they’ve never been. I’ve been to seven World Cups.” The trio ended the video chanting, “No Scotland, no party.”
Some fans expressed disappointment. One commented, “Yes, love his music… but really don’t care for anyone who doesn’t live up to their commitments and then has the balls to post a video of him talking and signing on his jet… WOW!” Another wrote, “No one thinks you’re sexy when you cancel a concert at the last minute to go to the World Cup. People paid to see you, they took the time effort and cost to get to the venue. Some flew in. Some rented hotels, cars. and you crapped on all of them because of fake laryngitis. But it’s great you had a solid time at the World Cup.” A fourth critic added, “You are entitled to spend your time however you choose, but your time is not more valuable than ours. Many of us arrange travel, hotels, childcare, reservations, and special celebrations around these events. We have supported your shows for years, but fans deserve consideration and honesty.”
However, many defended Stewart. One fan said, “At 81, it’s amazing that you’re still doing concerts at all, and if you weren’t feeling very well, and have to cancel, it’s a tragedy for your fans, but a two-hour show could be fatal for anyone. I’m 68 and don’t think that I would be up for it.” Another wrote, “I have attended 5-6 concerts. I absolutely have no problem with him cancelling this concert. Give him a break this man is 81 years old. How much time do you think this man has left to spend with his family? Get over it!!”
Tour continues amid health concerns
Stewart’s One Last Time tour wraps later this year, with a scheduled stop at OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls on Aug. 4. Despite the tour name, Stewart has said he is not retiring. When announcing the trek in 2024, he shared on Instagram, “This will be the end of large-scale world tours for me, but I have no desire to retire. I love what I do, and I do what I love.”
