Rod Stewart experienced a very difficult moment during his concert on Friday night at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheater in West Valley City, United States. The 81-year-old Scottish singer appeared in obvious distress while performing “Young Turks”, so much so that he required the intervention of backstage staff. According to videos released online, Stewart repeatedly leaned on the instruments and structures of the stage to maintain his balance. In some videos, the artist is also seen receiving oxygen through a mask before resuming the show. Visibly tired, he then turned to the audience: “The show must continue, I almost fainted. Do you mind if I sit down for this song?”, he asked the fans, who supported him with long applause.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Rod Stewart had a rough show in Utah … doubling over in discomfort during the set — and needing puffs from an oxygen tank onstage. pic.twitter.com/iT0idEp86t
— TMZ (@TMZ) June 21, 2026
After recovering, Sir Rod reassured the spectators and decided to finish the evening, despite remaining seated for a good part of the performance. The setlist included some of his classics, including “Have I Told You Lately”, “Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?” and, as the only encore, “Love Train”.
Despite the scare, Stewart managed to finish the concert, demonstrating once again the determination that continues to characterize his live activity even over sixty years after the beginning of his career. The altitude may have played a role in the illness. West Valley City is in fact located at approximately 1,300-1,400 meters above sea level, a condition that can make physical performance more demanding, especially for an artist engaged in a long tour.
The episode comes after some recent health issues that had already forced Stewart to change his plans. The singer canceled a concert in San Diego on June 12 due to what was described as sinusitis. Subsequently he himself spoke of a respiratory tract infection accompanied by laryngitis. What caused fans to discuss were some images portraying him the following day in Boston, where he attended a World Cup match between his Scotland and Haiti.
Daniel D`Amico for SANREMO.FM
