Rod Stewart sent his regrets to Cincinnati. The 81-year-old pop dynamo could not make it to the stage for his scheduled show with Richard Marx at Riverbend Music Center on Sunday night (Aug. 9) due to reported medical issues.
According to a statement posted by the venue, “due to an unforeseen but minor medical procedure that required prompt attention, Rod Stewart’s performance tonight in Cincinnati at Riverband Music Center has been postponed.”
At press time a spokesperson for Stewart could not be reached for comment on the singer’s condition or the postponement of the show that was part of the singer’s ongoing One Last Time tour. Riverbend noted, however, that rescheduling is currently underway, with additional information due on Tuesday (Aug. 11); previously purchased tickets will be honored for the rescheduled dates.
The message ended on a positive note, adding, “Rod is expected to make a quick recovery and looks forward to returning to Cincinnati.”
It’s not the first time Sir Rod has run into a snag on the outing. Back on June 19, Stewart was forced to pause his show at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre in West Valley City when he appeared visibly unwell and was seen doubling over in discomfort before using an oxygen tank to assist with his breathing.
After having a hard time finishing his 1981 Billboard Hot 100 No. 5 hit “Young Turks,” the high-energy singer appeared to be struggling to move and leaned against stage equipment before someone brought him an oxygen tank. He later told the crowd that he’d almost fainted, but, “the show must go on,” joking, “would you mind if I sat down for this one?” before finishing the show while seated in a chair.
Stewart also faced some blowback after canceling a June 12 show in San Diego less than an hour before showtime due to a reported acute upper respiratory infection causing laryngitis and then showing up hours later at the Scotland World Cup match in Boston.
In May, Stewart teased that the One Last Time farewell tour could mark the end of his large-scale touring days. “I’ve got 40-odd shows this year and that’s not really a lot,” Stewart said on the U.K. TalkSport soccer chat show. “And I’m touring the U.K. next year and doing the O2 and that will probably be it, I think. I’ll have to do something new … come on your show more often.”
Stewart’s next scheduled tour date is on Tuesday (Aug. 11) at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. At press time it appeared that that show was still scheduled to proceed as planned.
