Rod Stewart Needed Oxygen Mid-Show During Utah Concert

Rock veteran Rod Stewart had a worrying moment during a concert in Utah when he appeared to struggle onstage and required an oxygen tank in front of the audience. Video obtained by TMZ showed him leaning on instruments, barriers and even a stage-side pole to keep steady while trying to keep the performance going. Crew members eventually realized he was in distress and came out to help.

A production worker rolled an oxygen cylinder onto the stage, and Stewart took several deep breaths to steady himself. Despite the scare, he kept his composure, told the crowd about his condition, joked that he had “almost fainted,” and managed to ease the tension and draw laughter from the audience. He then continued the rest of the show seated in a chair.

No official statement has yet been issued by his representatives, but the leading explanation is Utah’s altitude. West Valley City sits about 1,300 meters above sea level, where thinner air can make physical exertion much harder, especially during a live performance. The episode comes at a sensitive time for Stewart, who recently canceled a San Diego show because of a throat infection, though only days later he was seen attending a World Cup match.