Rod Stewart's Shocking Onstage Health Scare: Oxygen Tank Deployed After Near Faint!
Rod Stewart, 81, experienced a health scare during a Utah concert, nearly fainting and requiring an oxygen tank, an incident potentially exacerbated by the city's altitude. This comes as the rock icon hints his 'One Last Time' tour may conclude his extensive touring career. The event follows recent criticism over a San Diego concert cancellation amidst his active tour schedule.
Legendary rock artist Rod Stewart, 81, encountered a health emergency during his concert at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre in West Valley City on Friday, June 19. The veteran singer appeared visibly distressed, nearly fainting onstage, and subsequently required an oxygen tank to assist with his breathing. The incident occurred as Stewart was performing his 1981 hit, “Young Turks,” which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Eyewitness accounts and video footage show Stewart doubling over in discomfort and leaning against stage equipment before members of his crew brought out the oxygen.
Following the health scare, Stewart addressed the audience, acknowledging that he had nearly fainted but emphatically stated that “the show must go on.” He then light-heartedly asked, “Would you mind if I sat down for this one?” before continuing his performance from a seated position for the remainder of the evening. The high altitude of West Valley City, approximately 4,300 feet above sea level, was cited by TMZ as a potential contributing factor to the singer’s condition.
This event adds to recent discussions around Stewart’s touring future. In late May, he hinted that his ongoing “One Last Time” farewell tour might indeed mark the conclusion of his large-scale touring career. He mentioned a schedule of around 40 shows this year and a planned U.K. tour in 2027, including a performance at the O2 Arena, suggesting these could be his final major touring commitments. Stewart expressed a desire to explore new ventures after these dates.
The Utah incident follows a recent controversy involving Stewart's health. On June 12, he canceled a concert at San Diego’s North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre less than an hour before showtime, citing an acute upper respiratory infection that had led to laryngitis. However, hours later, he was seen making an appearance at a Scotland World Cup match in Boston, which drew criticism from some fans and media outlets regarding the abrupt cancellation.
Despite these health challenges and the contemplation of retirement from major tours, Rod Stewart is still scheduled to perform numerous U.S. dates throughout July and August as part of his “One Last Time” tour. The current leg of the tour is slated to conclude with a show in St. Louis on August 15, after which he is set to undertake a series of residency dates in Las Vegas.