Rod Stewart sparked concern among fans after appearing to struggle through a recent concert, pausing mid-show to use an oxygen tank after telling the crowd he had nearly fainted. The 81-year-old singer was performing in Salt Lake City on Saturday when he appeared visibly distressed onstage and signaled for assistance.
Video obtained by TMZ showed staff bringing an oxygen tank to Stewart, who took several breaths before addressing the audience. “I nearly f-cking fainted,” Stewart told concertgoers.
Supportive fans could be heard encouraging the rock legend to take a break, but Stewart appeared determined to continue. “The show must go on,” he declared to loud applause.
The singer later asked the audience, “Would you mind if I sat down for this number?” before taking a seat on the stage steps and continuing the performance.
Stewart Recently Canceled A Show Due To Health Issues
The concerning moment comes just days after Stewart was forced to cancel a scheduled concert in Chula Vista, California. The singer’s team announced the cancellation shortly before showtime, explaining that Stewart had been diagnosed with an acute upper respiratory infection that had developed into laryngitis.
“He traveled to the venue and made every effort to perform, but on the advice of his doctors and following a diagnosis of an acute upper respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis, he is unable to take to the stage this evening,” the statement read.
Stewart later addressed fans directly on Instagram. “Well here I am in beautiful Chula Vista as the stage is being taken down around me,” he wrote. “Following treatment, I’m feeling much better, but my voice is not.”
The singer added that he “did everything I could to make the show happen tonight” and promised to “do my utmost to reschedule.”
Rod Stewart Visits FIFA World Cup Match Hours After Canceling Show
Less than 24 hours after the cancellation, Stewart shared footage of himself traveling by private jet to Boston alongside sons Alastair and Liam. The family attended a FIFA World Cup match between Scotland and Haiti, where Stewart was later spotted cheering from the stands.
“Here we are flying off to Boston to see Scotland in the World Cup,” Stewart said in a clip shared on social media. “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.”
Fans Questioned Stewart’s Decision To Attend Soccer Match
The outing quickly sparked criticism from some disappointed fans who had been turned away from the canceled California concert.
“I understand that shows sometimes have to be canceled, and if there was a legitimate reason, most fans would have accepted it,” one fan wrote. “What’s hard to accept is seeing you apparently celebrating on a plane with friends less than 24 hours after thousands of people were sent home disappointed in San Diego.”
Someone else chimed in with, “Hey Rod, lost a little respect for you canceling your concert the night before, disappointing a stadium full of people… Hard to believe you really had laryngitis! You sound like you have a voice to me! i used to really like you, but when I say I lost a little respect, I mean a LOT of respect!”
“This feels rather disingenuous, especially after your cancellation last night. Too ill to perform but okay to fly across the country for soccer?” another fan questioned.
“What an arrogant move!” someone else claimed. “People have traveled, some like me, a long distance to Red Rocks only to have the concert canceled an hour before the start. I guess when you’re 81 you don’t have to care about your fans.”
Rod Stewart Is Currently On His Farewell Tour
Despite the recent health scare, Stewart has continued performing as part of his ongoing “One Last Time” farewell tour. The North American trek launched in 2024 and is expected to continue through the remainder of the year before additional U.K. dates in 2027.
“I’ve got 40-odd shows this year and that’s not really a lot,” Stewart recently said during an appearance on “TalkSport.” “And I’m touring the UK next year and doing the O2 and that will probably be it, I think.”