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Rod Stewart reveals that he takes to the stage “absolutely sober” after recent health scare
Rod Stewart says he now performs sober after a recent heart procedure and an onstage health scare in Utah. He is changing how he paces concerts and preparing for a farewell tour, which begins in April 2027.
Stewart said the Utah incident happened while he had bronchitis and was performing at altitude after several energetic songs. He has cancelled Las Vegas dates and his North American tour, and now exercises before shows, cycles and swims three times a week. He says he may have a rum and Coke after the third song, while still finding it difficult to cut back on wine and cocktails.
In short
- Stewart now starts shows sober.
- He linked the Utah scare to bronchitis and altitude.
- His farewell tour is due to begin in April 2027.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Performing sober and pacing himself more carefully could help Stewart protect his health while continuing to perform, especially after a heart procedure and an episode he says occurred while he was ill and at altitude. Cancelling some dates and exercising regularly may also reflect a sensible effort to make a demanding farewell tour more sustainable.
The case against
Stewart’s choices about alcohol and performance are personal, and the reported incident does not by itself establish that drinking caused his health scare. Some may argue that continued touring, even with changes to his routine, carries risks after a heart procedure, and that his wellbeing should take priority over completing a farewell tour.
Explained simply
Rod Stewart is a British singer whose career spans more than six decades, from the Faces and his solo hits to later tours of his own. He is known for energetic live shows and a gravelly voice, and has continued performing into his eighties.
Stewart has spoken publicly about health issues, including a heart procedure and prostate cancer treatment. Bronchitis is an infection that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties; performing at high altitude can also make physical exertion more demanding. These factors provide context for changes to his concert routine and the cancelled dates.
His planned farewell tour is intended to mark the end of his touring career. How he manages his health and stamina matters to him and his audiences as he prepares for those performances.