Rod Stewart gave fans a frightening moment during a concert in Utah on June 19 when he nearly collapsed while performing his hit song “Young Turks.” The 81-year-old music legend appeared unsteady on stage, leaning on instruments, barriers, and a pole for support as he continued singing. Audience members quickly noticed something was wrong as Stewart struggled to maintain his balance throughout the performance.
When the song ended, crew members rushed an oxygen tank onto the stage. Stewart took several deep breaths before addressing the crowd, admitting that he had “dang near fainted.” Despite the scare, he remained in good spirits and even joked with fans. Determined to finish the show, the singer continued performing, though he spent the remainder of the concert seated in a chair.
The concert took place in West Valley City, Utah, which sits more than 4,300 feet above sea level. Higher altitudes can make breathing more difficult, especially for older performers. While Stewart’s team has not officially explained what caused the incident, some fans speculated that the elevation may have played a role in his sudden health scare.
The episode comes during a difficult month for Stewart’s health. Earlier in June, he canceled a concert after being diagnosed with an acute upper respiratory infection that resulted in laryngitis. Doctors later ordered strict vocal rest, forcing him to cancel two additional performances. Those cancellations sparked debate after he was seen boarding a private jet to attend a World Cup match shortly afterward. While opinions were divided, many fans were simply relieved to see the legendary performer recover and finish his Utah concert despite the alarming setback.