Sir Rod Stewart has been forced to hit the brakes on his current tour after undergoing a heart procedure, with the 81-year-old rock legend now taking some much-needed time away from the stage to recover.
It’s news nobody with a ticket wanted to hear, but this is one occasion where the gig can absolutely wait.
The legendary voice behind ‘Maggie May’, ‘Sailing’, ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?’ and ‘You Wear It Well’ has cancelled his remaining scheduled US and Mexico performances after successfully undergoing a routine coronary stent procedure.
Thankfully, the important bit is this: Rod is recovering well. ❤️
His representatives say the procedure was successful, he has already returned to normal daily activities, and doctors have advised him to spend the next four weeks recovering and rebuilding his fitness before getting back on stage. (NME)
🎤 THE SHOWS HAVE TO WAIT
Stewart had been due to continue performing through to 3 September 2026, with the affected schedule also including six Las Vegas residency performances planned for late August.
Those dates will now not go ahead while Sir Rod concentrates on his recovery. Ticket holders are being contacted by the relevant venues and promoters regarding cancellations and refunds. (The Independent)
It brings an abrupt halt to the latest stretch of Stewart’s enormous live career — but considering the bloke has been tearing around stages for decades with more energy than people half his age, nobody can begrudge him putting his feet up for a few weeks.
Doctor’s orders are doctor’s orders, butt.
The feathered barnet will have to remain backstage for now.
❤️ WHAT HAPPENED TO ROD STEWART?
The announcement follows Stewart recently postponing performances after what had initially been described as a “minor medical procedure.”
His representatives have now confirmed that Stewart underwent a successful coronary stent procedure.
According to the statement announcing the cancellations, Stewart is doing well following the treatment and has resumed his usual everyday activities. However, the physical demands of performing mean he’s been advised to take approximately four weeks away from live shows to make sure he’s properly recovered. (People.com)
And let’s be fair here.
A Rod Stewart concert isn’t exactly the old boy wandering onto a stage, sitting in an armchair and quietly humming Sailing.
Even at 81, he’s still putting on proper shows.
Lights. Band. Big tunes. Strutting. Crowd interaction. That unmistakable gravel-coated voice blasting across arenas.
Touring is exhausting at any age, never mind when you’ve been doing the rock ‘n’ roll thing since Britain still thought beige wallpaper was the height of interior design.
🗣️ ROD: “SORRY TO LET MY FANS DOWN”
Stewart has expressed his disappointment at having to cancel the shows and thanked the medical team who treated him.
Most importantly, his message remains positive: he intends to get back to performing once he’s recovered. (People.com)
That’s the bit we like hearing. 🤘
This doesn’t sound like somebody announcing the end.
It sounds like somebody being told:
“Rod, behave yourself for four weeks.”
Which, considering we’re talking about Rod Stewart, might actually be the hardest challenge of his entire career.
🎸 THIS ISN’T NECESSARILY GOODBYE
Despite the current tour sometimes being described as a farewell trek, Stewart has repeatedly made it clear that stepping away from large-scale touring doesn’t necessarily mean he’s finished with music or performing altogether.
The current tour, which originally launched in 2024, has been billed as his final major tour, but Stewart has spoken enthusiastically about continuing to make music. Earlier comments have also indicated that he has been working on further recording projects. (jonesbeach.com)
And why wouldn’t he?
This is Rod bloody Stewart.
Retirement was always going to be less “quiet slippers by the fire” and more “maybe I’ll just make another record and accidentally book 40 gigs.”
His career has stretched across more than six decades, from his early days through The Jeff Beck Group and Faces to one of the most commercially successful solo careers in British music history.
Then came the songs.
‘Maggie May’.
‘You Wear It Well’.
‘Sailing’.
‘Tonight’s the Night’.
‘The First Cut Is the Deepest’.
‘Hot Legs’.
‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?’
‘Young Turks’.
And that’s barely scratching the surface.
Few voices in rock are as instantly recognisable.
You could play half a second of Rod Stewart singing through a broken supermarket tannoy during a thunderstorm and somebody would still go:
“That’s Rod!”
😂🎤
❤️🩹 HEALTH COMES FIRST, MUN
Naturally, whenever a musician of Stewart’s age undergoes a heart procedure, fans are going to worry.
But the information released following the procedure has been reassuring: the treatment was successful and Stewart is recovering.
So while losing the shows is disappointing — particularly for fans who’ve booked tickets, hotels, flights and probably spent three weeks deciding which Rod Stewart shirt gets the honour — this is bigger than any concert.
There will always be another stage.
There will always be another spotlight.
There will always be another opportunity for thousands of people to belt out ‘Maggie May’ after several drinks while mysteriously believing they can sing exactly like Rod Stewart.
Right now, there’s only one priority:
Get yourself properly recovered, Sir Rod.
🤘 THE RIFF REPORT SAYS…
Rock ‘n’ roll has spent decades convincing us that the show must always go on.
Sometimes, though, the show absolutely shouldn’t go on.
At 81 years old, Rod Stewart has already given music fans a lifetime’s worth of songs, performances, outrageous outfits, legendary haircuts and choruses capable of turning an entire arena into the world’s biggest pub singalong.
Missing a few gigs isn’t going to change any of that.
So from all of us here at The Riff Report Blog, we’re sending Sir Rod our very best wishes for a smooth and speedy recovery. ❤️🩹
Rest up.
Listen to the doctors.
Put the microphone down for a bit.
And when you’re ready…
we’ll see you back under those stage lights. 🎤🔥
Because you can cancel a tour.
You can postpone a gig.
But apparently convincing Rod Stewart to actually retire might require considerably more paperwork.
Get well soon, Rod. 🤘❤️
🎸 THE RIFF REPORT BLOG
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Zero Apologies. 🐉🤘
What’s your favourite Rod Stewart song or live memory? Get involved and let us know — and join us in wishing one of British rock’s most unmistakable voices a speedy recovery. ❤️🩹🎶
