Sir Rod Stewart forced to axe SIX US shows after being placed on strict vocal rest – but vows to power through for historic Faces reunion at festival
Sir Rod Stewart has been left “devastated” after being forced to cancel six US concerts as he battles a severe bout of flu that threatens to derail his triumphant return to Glastonbury later this month.
The 80-year-old rock icon took to Instagram with an emotional message to fans, revealing he must pull out of shows scheduled over the next eight days on doctor’s orders as he struggles to recover from the illness.
“I have to cancel and reschedule my next six concerts in June as I continue to recover from the flu,” the Maggie May singer wrote, adding a broken heart emoji to his post.
“I’m devastated and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to my fans. I’ll be back on stage and will see you soon.”
Vegas Shows Axed
The cancelled dates include three performances at the prestigious Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and one show in Stateline, Nevada. Two California concerts in Rancho Mirage and Paso Robles have been rescheduled for September 20 and 21 respectively.
The health scare comes at a critical time for Stewart, who is set to play the coveted Legends slot at Glastonbury on June 29 – his first appearance at the festival since 2002.
Strict Vocal Rest Orders
Rod Stewart has had to postpone a gig due to take place tonight (Thursday)at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, after being told he must rest to get over a bout of flu. Earlier this week, he had already cancelled shows on Monday and Wednesday.
The severity of Stewart’s condition has sparked concerns among fans, particularly given his meticulous approach to protecting his voice. In a sign of how seriously the singer takes his health, last month he was also spotted in Italy attempting to avoid conversations to preserve his voice. He wore a message attached to a lanyard which read: “Sorry. Cannot talk. Having vocal rest.”
Glastonbury Reunion Still On
Despite the setbacks, Stewart remains determined to fulfill his Glastonbury commitment, where he plans a historic reunion with former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood. “Woody and I do a lot, just recently, because we’re going to do Glastonbury together.”
The performance marks Stewart’s first Glastonbury set since 2002, and he’s already lobbied organizers for extra time. But I’ve asked them ‘Please, another 15 minutes’ because I play for over two hours every night and it’s nothing,” he revealed on That Peter Crouch Podcast.
Faces Recording New Music
The reunion comes as the group recorded 11 songs at London’s RAK Studios, and they’ll come out next year. A documentary about Faces is in progress. It uses unseen archival footage filmed in 1972, and it includes many candid moments from the band’s early days.
Stewart hasn’t performed with Faces since 1975, making the Glastonbury appearance a momentous occasion for rock fans worldwide. The singer will join an illustrious lineup including headliners The 1975, Neil Young, and Olivia Rodrigo.
History of Health Battles
The current health crisis is the latest in a series of medical challenges for the rock veteran. In May 2000, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had surgery. In 2017, he underwent successful treatment for prostate cancer.
Besides being a major health scare, the resulting surgery also threatened his voice, and he had to re-learn how to sing.
Lifetime Achievement Honor
The cancellations come just weeks after Stewart received an emotional surprise at the American Music Awards, where he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by five of his eight children.
“I am absolutely flabbergasted. I didn’t know they were here — my children.” Stewart told the audience, visibly moved by the gesture.
One Last Time Tour
Stewart is currently in the midst of his epic “One Last Time” world tour, which he has confirmed will be his final series of large-scale arena shows. In 2024, he promised he would not retire but confirmed his 2025 European and North American shows would bring an end to his “large-scale world tours”, with his next slate to be held at more intimate venues.
The tour has seen the octogenarian rocker performing with the energy of someone half his age, with fans praising his dedication despite the physical challenges.
Chart-Topping Legacy
With over 250 million albums sold worldwide and a career spanning six decades, Stewart remains one of rock’s most distinctive voices. His biggest hits include “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?”, “Sailing”, “Maggie May”, and “The First Cut Is the Deepest”.
The last time he performed at the famous English event was in 2002. His return to Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage is expected to draw crowds of up to 100,000 people.
Festival Preparations Continue
Despite the current setback, sources close to the singer insist he remains committed to his Glastonbury appearance. The festival, taking place from June 25-29 at Worthy Farm in Somerset, will see Stewart become the first artist to play the Legends slot having previously headlined the festival.
As fans hold their breath and hope for a swift recovery, one thing remains certain – Sir Rod Stewart’s fighting spirit and dedication to his craft continue to inspire, even as he battles through this latest health crisis at the remarkable age of 80.
Image credit: Jeff Beck Tribute at Royal Albert Hall, 2023 by Raph_PH, licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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