Rod Stewart Requires Oxygen Tank After Nearly Fainting Onstage in Utah

The 81-year-old rocker steadied himself with oxygen assistance and finished the show seated at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre.

Rod Stewart suffered a health scare Friday night at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre in West Valley City when the 81-year-old singer nearly fainted onstage during his performance. Backstage attendants rushed out to assist the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, providing him with an oxygen tank before he steadied himself and finished the show seated in a chair.

What Happened Onstage

Stewart was more than halfway through his set when the incident occurred. Video obtained by TMZ shows the singer supporting himself on musical instruments, barriers, and a pole at the side of the stage. He was visibly uncomfortable and appeared to struggle through his 1981 hit ‘Young Turks’ before several backstage attendants came out to render aid, one of them rolling out an oxygen tank. Stewart took several deep breaths from it before addressing the crowd.

“The show must go on,” Stewart told the audience. “I nearly f—ing fainted there. Would you mind if I sit down for this one?” He remained seated for the rest of the performance, which included classics such as ‘Have I Told You Lately,’ ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?,’ and a single-song encore of ‘Love Train.’

Altitude Likely a Factor

West Valley City sits at approximately 4,300 feet above sea level, and both reports note that the elevation could have contributed to Stewart’s difficulties. At that altitude, reduced oxygen levels can affect even healthy performers, and the physical demands of a full concert set amplify the strain considerably. Stewart’s team had not publicly commented on the specific cause as of the time of reporting.

A Difficult Stretch of Health Issues

Friday’s scare is the latest in a run of health-related setbacks for Stewart. In May, he canceled several performances at his Las Vegas residency and was placed on vocal rest due to a sinus infection. He later canceled an additional show in San Diego, citing a second sinus infection along with laryngitis. Those cancellations drew fan frustration when Stewart was spotted attending one of Scotland’s World Cup soccer matches in Boston the following day.

Stewart is currently in the middle of his One Last Time tour, which is scheduled to keep him on the road throughout the summer.

What we know

• Rod Stewart nearly fainted onstage at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre in West Valley City during a Friday night concert.
• Backstage attendants provided Stewart with an oxygen tank, from which he took several deep breaths before continuing the show.
• Stewart finished the performance seated in a chair. The show included ‘Have I Told You Lately,’ ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?,’ and a single-song encore of ‘Love Train.’
• West Valley City is approximately 4,300 feet above sea level, which both reports note as a possible contributing factor.
• Stewart had previously canceled Las Vegas residency shows in May due to a sinus infection, and later canceled a San Diego show citing a second sinus infection and laryngitis.
• Stewart is currently on his One Last Time tour, scheduled to run through the summer.

The take

For a performer of Stewart’s vintage, the One Last Time tour carries real weight beyond the marketing. He has been one of rock’s most durable live acts for more than five decades, known for high-energy performances that would exhaust singers half his age. At 81, the physical demands of a full touring schedule are genuinely formidable, and altitude adds a variable that even younger artists sometimes underestimate. The mile-high Denver area has a well-documented history of affecting performers, and West Valley City’s 4,300-foot elevation puts it in a similar range. What stands out here is less the incident itself and more how Stewart handled it: steadying himself, cracking a joke, and finishing the show seated rather than walking off. That instinct is consistent with a performer who has navigated decades of scrutiny and setbacks in public. The recent pattern of cancellations, vocal rest orders, and now an oxygen-assisted performance will inevitably raise questions about the sustainability of a full summer run. Legacy touring acts in their eighties face a narrowing margin for error, and audiences and promoters alike are watching closely. Stewart has beaten back health concerns before, including a successful battle with thyroid cancer announced in 2019, but the accumulation of incidents this season is worth noting.

Why it matters

Stewart’s One Last Time tour is billed as a farewell run, which means every date carries added significance for fans who may not get another chance to see him live. Health scares at this stage of a farewell tour raise legitimate questions about whether remaining dates will proceed as scheduled. For the broader classic rock touring ecosystem, the incident is a reminder of the physical toll that full production shows place on artists in their eighties, and it will likely intensify conversations about how legacy acts structure their setlists, travel schedules, and venue selections going forward.

What’s next

Stewart’s One Last Time tour is scheduled to continue through the summer. No cancellations or changes to upcoming dates have been announced as of the time of reporting. TMZ noted it had reached out to Stewart’s representatives for comment but had not received a response.

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