Rod Stewart Uses Oxygen onstage After Near Fainting, Following Weeks of Cancellations

When 81‑year‑old Rod Stewart almost collapsed onstage in Utah, the world watched.

Video posted by TMZ shows the legendary rocker leaning heavily on the stage’s equipment, his eyes wide as he turned to a backstage crew that immediately supplied an oxygen tank and a cold compress for his neck. "The show must go on," Stewart told the audience, admitting he "nearly fainted." A representative for the singer did not respond to a request for comment.

The incident follows a string of health‑related cancellations that have kept the veteran performer on a tight schedule. On May 29 and 30, Stewart pulled two shows at Caesars Palace’s Colosseum in Las Vegas because a sinus infection and a doctor‑ordered vocal rest forced him to step back. In a statement released to the Las Vegas Review‑Journal, the singer said he would return to the venue on June 2 and added, "My apologies to my family of fans. 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."

Just a week later, Stewart cancelled a concert in San Diego minutes before the scheduled start. He posted on Instagram Stories that he was receiving treatment and that his voice was not yet ready to perform. In a brief apology he wrote, "I’m very disappointed and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to my fans. I did everything I could to make the show happen tonight, but unfortunately it just wasn’t possible. I will do my utmost to reschedule." The San Diego Union‑Tribune reported the concert was cancelled 40 minutes before it was set to begin.

A day after the San Diego setback, Stewart shared a video from his private jet with his sons, Liam and Alastair, in Boston. The caption read, "Me and the boys off to Boston to see our Scotland in the World Cup! No Scotland no party." Fans on Instagram reacted with discontent, questioning the singer’s priorities. One user wrote, "This feels rather disingenuous, especially after your cancellation last night. Too ill to perform but okay to fly across the country for soccer?" Another added, "So you blew off all the people in San Diego that wanted to see you in concert but able to go to the world cup I see! I'm a huge fan of yours but I don't think that's cool."

Stewart has not publicly addressed the onstage oxygen incident. He has, however, clarified that he does not plan to retire. In a 2024 statement about his farewell tour, he said, "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. I’m fit, have a full head of hair, and can run 100 meters in 18 seconds at the jolly old age of 79." The remark was posted on social media.

The Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre, an outdoor venue that opened in 2003 and holds 25,000, has hosted acts ranging from Kiss to Morgan Wallen to the Foo Fighters. Stewart’s onstage health scare has drawn attention to the physical demands placed on veteran performers.

Health experts note that sinusitis— the condition Stewart cited as the cause of his vocal rest— can lead to upper respiratory infections and laryngitis. Symptoms include nasal congestion, facial pain, and throat irritation, all of which can impair singing. Treatment typically involves rest, hydration, and sometimes medication.

The episode underscores the challenges of touring for artists in their 80s. While Stewart has continued to perform, the pattern of cancellations and medical interventions suggests his schedule may become increasingly limited. Fans and industry observers will likely keep a close eye on his upcoming shows at Caesars Palace and any future tour dates.

As of now, Stewart’s next confirmed performances are scheduled to begin on June 2 at Caesars Palace, with additional dates to be announced. No further statements have been released regarding the Utah concert or the circumstances that led to the oxygen use.