After a string of canceled and postponed shows, 81-year-old rock legend Rod Stewart needed oxygen midset before finishing his show at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre in West Valley City, Utah.
In video from the audience, Stewart can be seen standing, but leaning against the piano as he gamely tries to keep up with his propulsive track “Young Turks.” He then takes a couple steps to his left and reaches out for the drum screen to steady himself. After a few more bars, Stewart turns his back to the crowd and several aides wheel out an oxygen canister. The music stops abruptly as the Grammy winner breathes deeply and even seems to stumble backward at one point. Throughout, the crowd cheers in appreciation for Stewart.
“The show must go on,” he says after relinquishing the oxygen mask and turning back to the crowd. “I nearly f*cking fainted up here.”
Stewart then asks the crowd, “Would you mind if I sat down for this one?” Amid cheers, he then settles down on the steps in front of a drum riser.
Stewart reportedly finished the show sitting in a chair.
The two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee recently rescheduled several of the performances for his Caesars Palace residency. Soon thereafter, Stewart canceled four shows and postponed two additional gigs.
His current campaign is called the One Last Time Tour. Sir Rod has frequently hinted that it will be his final big tour.
On June 10th before an ecstatic Hollywood Bowl crowd, the singer said, “This is my last time here, so let’s have a party tonight.”
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