Rod Stewart cancels remainder of farewell tour following heart surgery

Rod Stewart, the 81 year old British rock legend, has cancelled all upcoming dates on his North American One Last Time farewell tour after undergoing a routine heart procedure. The procedure involved placing a coronary stent, a small tube that keeps blocked or narrowed blood vessels open. His representatives told Rolling Stone that Stewart is doing well and that his doctors are pleased with his recovery. On medical advice, he has been given four weeks of rest to fully recover and regain his strength before returning to the stage.

The number of cancelled shows was significant. On August 9, Stewart pulled out of a last minute performance at Riverbend Music Center in Ohio, citing an unforeseen but minor medical procedure. In the weeks that followed, concerts were scheduled in Kansas City, Minnesota, Illinois and Colorado, followed by a string of shows in Mexico between September 9 and 13. The highlight was a six night residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, which Stewart himself described as The Encore Shows.

Stewart updated his fans via Instagram, writing that he is already feeling better and well on the road to recovery. He also thanked the medical staff who cared for him. "I'm deeply disappointed to miss these shows and sorry to let my fans down, but I look forward to getting back on stage and having a good time with you all again soon," Stewart wrote in his post. His representatives confirmed that he has already returned to his normal daily routine.

The heart procedure is not the first health issue to disrupt the tour. In June, Stewart cancelled shows on the advice of his doctors, and later that month he had to pause a concert in Utah to use an oxygen tank after nearly fainting during the performance. Those June cancellations drew some backlash from fans, as he was spotted shortly after in a video singing on his way to a World Cup match.

The One Last Time tour, which kicked off in 2024, marks the conclusion of a career spanning more than sixty years, both as a solo artist and as a member of the Faces and the Jeff Beck Group. Earlier this year, Stewart hinted in a conversation with TalkSport that an announced British tour in 2027, including a show at The O2 in London, would likely be his final major touring project. Ronnie Wood, his old Faces bandmate, suggested in October last year on Desert Island Discs that he and Stewart had been making music together with a possible reunion of the band in mind. Wood also stood by Stewart's side during the legendary performance on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 2024, which also featured Mick Hucknall and Lulu.