Rod Stewart, 81, addresses health concerns after cancelling gigs due to sickness
Sir Rod Stewart has addressed his recent spate of ill health after cancelling three concerts at short notice.
Most recently, the 81-year-old singer pulled out of a show in San Diego with 40 minutes to spare, after suffering a bout of laryngitis.
He had already axed two shows in his Las Vegas residency, citing a sinus infection that left him in need of vocal recovery.
The star also sparked concern after relying on an oxygen tank to get through another performance in Utah, joking that he had ‘nearly f*****g fainted’ in the aftermath.
Performing at the Portugal music festival Rock in Rio Lisboa this weekend, Sir Rod appeared to be fighting fit again, reportedly knocking out a full set with no breaks.
He also gave an update on his health, toasting to his own future with a glass of whisky.
According to The Mirror, Sir Rod said: ‘I’m going to drink to health. It’s been most enjoyable, but we’ve still got a long way to go.’
He’s then said to have wished Portugal good luck in the World Cup and paid tribute to late friend Tina Turner, performing their 1991 hit It Takes Two.
During the set, he also dedicated Rhythm of My Heart to the people of Ukraine, adding: ‘There’s wars going on everywhere; people are dying. This particular war I’ve been interested in since it started four years ago, nearly five.
‘This is the desperation of the Ukrainians – so this song is for the Ukrainian people and Zelenskyy and f**k Putin.’
Earlier this month, Sir Rod faced backlash after being spotted at the World Cup in spite of his cancelled performances.
An official statement regarding one cancelled gig read: ‘Rod Stewart very regretfully has had to cancel his show tonight in Chula Vista, California.
‘He travelled to the venue and made every effort to perform, but on the advice of this doctor, and following a diagnosis of an acute respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis, he is unable to take to the stage this evening.’
Afterwards, Sir Rod took to social media to apologise to fans in a post from Chula Vista.
‘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,’ he wrote on his Instagram Story.
‘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.’
However, mere days after axing the San Diego gig, Sir Rod was spotted cheering on Scotland at their match in Boston, where they clinched a 1-0 victory over Haiti.
He excitedly shared a picture from his journey to the venue by posting a video with the caption, ‘No Scotland, no party.’
In the clip, taken aboard his private jet, he joined his sons in a chant of the same.
This left a sour taste in the mouth of fans who’d had their tickets for his concert cancelled, some of whom took to the comments to bash the Maggie May singer.
‘I love Rod Stewart I always have I always will. This is the only thing I’ve ever disagreed with that he’s done, wrote Emily Hamilton on Instagram. ‘I am so sorry to all of you in San Diego that were heartbroken and then have to see this video. In my opinion he should not have posted this.’