Rod Stewart had to pause a recent gig to use an oxygen tank after nearly fainting onstage.
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TMZ reported that while Stewart was performing at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre on Friday (June 19), he could be seen looking visibly unwell, at one point appearing to double over in pain before having to use an oxygen tank to assist with his breathing.
Clips from the show circulating on social media show Stewart leaning over during the concert before staff brought out the oxygen tank, but he remained in high spirits throughout.
Addressing the crowd, he told audience members that he nearly fainted, but said “the show must go on”, and playfully asked: “Would you mind if I sat down for this one?”
Stewart finished the performance sitting in a chair, and many have noted that West Valley City is roughly 4,300 feet above sea level, meaning the altitude could have been a factor.
The onstage incident comes after the ‘Maggie May’ singer drew backlash after being spotted cheering for Scotland at a World Cup game, just hours after cancelling a concert in California due to health reasons.
@the_twin_doctors Sometimes altitude and age don’t mix. Last night in Utah, 81-year-old rock legend Rod Stewart proved once again why he’s a true icon, taking the stage in West Valley City as part of his One Last Time tour. Having overcome thyroid cancer in 2000 and prostate cancer years later, Stewart has stayed incredibly fit and dedicated, continuing to deliver powerful performances with his signature raspy voice. Footage from @tmz_tv shows that during the show at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre, however, the singer was seen using an oxygen tank after appearing to struggle with his breathing and nearly fainting onstage. Utah’s high elevation of over 4,300 feet means thinner air and lower oxygen availability, which can cause shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue—effects that hit especially hard for vocalists exerting themselves during long, energetic sets. Fans are sending love and well-wishes to Sir Rod, celebrating his remarkable resilience while highlighting how altitude and performance demands can challenge even the toughest legends. #RodStewart #OneLastTime #UtahConcert #MusicLegend #RockIcon
Just a day before he made an appearance at the World Cup game between Scotland and Haiti last Saturday (June 13), Stewart’s team shared a statement to his Instagram Stories, detailing that “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 the stage this evening.”
Stewart later followed up with his own statement less than an hour before a California gig was scheduled to start, adding: “Following treatment, I’m feeling much better, but my voice is not. I’m very disappointed and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to my fans.”
The veteran rocker turned 81 earlier this year, and has been touring consistently for over 60 years, including during his years with the Faces and the Jeff Beck Group, and he has been performing on his ‘One Last Time’ farewell tour since 2024, including his turn at Glastonbury last summer.
He has over 20 dates remaining in the US this year, and in a recent interview on TalkSport, he looked ahead to next year, hinting that he is considering calling it a day after one last UK run.
“Then I’m touring the UK next year, doing The O2, and that’ll probably be it, I think,” he said. “I’ll have to do something new, come on your show more often, maybe.”
In 2024, Stewart said he was done with “large-scale world tours”, saying his 2025 run of arena shows would be his last, although he did add at the time that he had “no desire to retire”.
“I love what I do, and I do what I love,” he said at the time. “I’m fit, have a full head of hair, and can run 100 meters in 18 seconds at the jolly old age of 79.” He also confessed that he thought his “days are numbered” as he neared his 80th birthday in 2025. “I’m aware my days are numbered but I’ve got no fear,” he said.
“We have all got to pass on at some point, so we are all in the same basket. I am going to be enjoying myself for these last few years as much as I can. I say few – probably another 15. I can do that easy mate, easy.”
Stewart memorably played the legends’ slot on Sunday afternoon on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2025, where he was joined by Ronnie Wood, Mick Hucknall and Lulu. NME was at the show and awarded it four stars, noting: “It may be the staggering heat or a stronger Sunday hangover this year, but the crowd aren’t quite as raucous as they often are for the legends slot, despite the many resplendent in copycat wigs and spandex. Still, the man’s voice is on point and he knows how to charm while giving you bang for your buck.”
After their reunion, Wood later said that progress on a long-promised new Faces album had stalled, as it was hard to make their “times tally”.