Rod Stewart reacts after receiving oxygen at show and cancelling gigs
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Rod Stewart reacts after receiving oxygen at show and cancelling gigs

Updated | By Tamlyn Canham

Fans are concerned about the 81-year-old music icon's health after he was given oxygen midway through a performance.

Music legend Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart/ Instagram (@sirrodstewart)

Rod Stewart is breaking his silence following concerns about his health.

The 'Maggie May' hitmaker has been the talk of social media after two eyebrow-raising incidents in recent weeks.

Stewart made headlines last week after video clips from a show in America showed him doubling over while singing his '80s classic, 'Young Turks'.

He is also seen holding onto music equipment for support. Shortly after, he tries to do a little wiggle dance, which appears to be too much for the singer.

Stewart then signals for a staff member to bring out his oxygen tank. The 81-year-old then takes a puff, while concertgoers cheer him on.

"Take a break," one person shouted, but Stewart decided to continue with the rest of the concert.

"The show must go on," he said. "I nearly f***ing fainted trying to do a little step and a dance."

The incident occurred a few weeks after Stewart was forced to cancel at least two gigs due to illness.

"Rod Stewart very regretfully has had to cancel his show tonight in Chula Vista, California," the venue said, per ESPN.

"He travelled 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."

However, shortly after, he was spotted at a FIFA World Cup match between Scotland and Haiti in Boston with his two sons.

Stewart didn't try to hide the fact. He posted a video of the trio on a private plane en route to the game.

"Me and the boys off to Boston to see our Scotland in the World Cup! No Scotland, no party," he wrote.

The singer's fans were less than impressed.

Hey Rod, lost a little respect for you cancelling your concert the night before disappointing a stadium full of people," one person commented.

"Hard to believe you really had laryngitis! You sound like you have a voice to me! I used to really like you, but when I say I lost a little respect, I mean a LOT of respect!"

Stewart was asked about his recent performances and his health issues during an interview on 'TalkSport'.

"I really shouldn’t have gone to the Haiti game," he said.

“You know, I had to cancel a show the night before because I just had no voice left. But the truth is I wasn’t going to let my two sons down.”

Stewart says when his sons were younger, he promised to take them to the World Cup.

"It wasn't a good look, I admit, but I'm gonna have to just take the stick, because I did it for the boys."

Stewart isn't the only elderly singer who has had difficulties on stage. Lionel Richie cancelled a show in Minnesota after falling ill on stage.

The 77-year-old was performing 'Dancing on the Ceiling' when he suddenly stopped singing to sit down. He later told the audience that he was feeling dizzy.

Shortly after he performed his hit single, 'Three Times a Lady', while seated at a piano. He then took a break, but had to cut the show short.

According to TMZ, the singer could not return to the stage as he was taken to the hospital. He has since postponed two of his upcoming shows.

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Image credit: Instagram/@sirrodstewart

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