Rod Stewart was forced to pause his concert in Utah after nearly fainting onstage and requiring an oxygen tank.
During his show at Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre in West Valley City on Friday (June 19), the 81-year-old rock legend appeared visibly unwell and was seen doubling over in discomfort before using an oxygen tank to assist with his breathing, according to TMZ.
After struggling to finish his hit “Young Turks” — which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981 — Stewart appeared less mobile than usual and leaned against stage equipment before members of his team brought out an oxygen tank, as seen in video footage published by the outlet.
The “Maggie May” singer later told the crowd that he had nearly fainted but insisted that the “show must go on.” He then jokingly asked, “Would you mind if I sat down for this one?” before continuing the performance.
Stewart ultimately finished Friday’s concert while seated in a chair. West Valley City sits at approximately 4,300 feet above sea level, which may have contributed to the incident, TMZ reported.
In late May, Stewart suggested that his current One Last Time farewell tour could mark the end of his large-scale touring career.
“I’ve got 40-odd shows this year and that’s not really a lot,” Stewart said on the TalkSport soccer chat show in the U.K. “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.”
The iconic singer-songwriter added that after his remaining dates this year and a planned U.K. run in 2027, he may step away from major touring commitments.
Stewart recently faced criticism after canceling a June 12 concert at San Diego’s North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre less than an hour before showtime due to health issues. Hours later, however, he made an appearance at the Scotland World Cup match in Boston.
“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 the stage this evening,” a statement posted to the venue’s Instagram read at the time.
Stewart currently has numerous U.S. dates scheduled throughout July and August as part of his One Last Time tour. The trek is set to conclude with a show in St. Louis on Aug. 15. He’ll then head to Las Vegas for a handful of residency dates.
