Sir Rod Stewart's "One Last Time" farewell tour hit an emotional snag on Friday night when the 81-year-old rock legend was forced to cancel his San Diego concert less than an hour before showtime.
The show at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista was abruptly canceled just 40 minutes before its scheduled 7:30 p.m. start time. Thousands of fans who had already arrived at the venue were turned away at the door.
A statement from Stewart's representatives confirmed that he had traveled to the venue and made every effort to perform, but on the advice of his doctors and following a diagnosis of an acute upper respiratory infection that had resulted in laryngitis, he was unable to take to the stage.
Stewart then addressed fans personally on social media - and the photo he shared said it all. "Well, here I am in beautiful Chula Vista as the stage is being taken down around me," he wrote, alongside a photo of himself on the empty stage.
"Following treatment, I'm feeling much better, but my voice is not. I'm very disappointed and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to my fans. I did everything I could to make the show happen tonight, but unfortunately it just wasn't possible. I will do my utmost to reschedule."
The San Diego cancellation was not an isolated event. Earlier this month, Stewart had already canceled four shows at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and a concert at Lake Tahoe after being diagnosed with the flu, writing on Instagram: "I have to cancel and reschedule my next six concerts in June as I continue to recover from the flu. So sorry, my friends. I'm devastated and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to my fans."
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee has maintained that he has no intention of retiring from performing, even as he winds down large-scale world tours. His next major scheduled appearance is at the Glastonbury Festival in the United Kingdom on June 29.
Ticket holders who purchased through Ticketmaster will receive automatic refunds. Those who purchased through third-party resale platforms have been instructed to contact their point of purchase directly.
For those who have followed Stewart's journey over the decades, his determination to still show up - sitting on a bare stage long after the crew had packed up - speaks to the kind of man he is off the mic.
His wife, Penny Lancaster, has spoken openly over the years about praying for her husband through every season of life.
Lancaster once shared that wherever the couple was on tour, if a church door was open, they would go in and have a prayer together. That spirit of perseverance and leaning on something greater than themselves seems to carry him still.
Prayers for a full recovery, Sir Rod. The fans will be waiting.
