Rod Stewart cancels 200th Las Vegas show due to illness

Rod Stewart announced that he had to cancel his Las Vegas residency show after contracting strep throat.

“I am so sorry to miss this 200th concert celebration,” the 79-year-old singer wrote in a statement shared on Instagram on Wednesday (August 7). “Most people can work with strep throat, but I obviously can’t. I am absolutely gutted. I have been looking forward to this concert for so long.”

Stewart apologized to fans for the “inconvenience” and promised to return to the stage next year.

“Fortunately, we will now be back in 2025 and I hope to see you all there,” he concluded.

Fans quickly took to the comments section to send Stewart their well wishes.

“You can’t blame a sore throat! It can be unpleasant. We would prefer you to be healthy so you can sing for us for many more years! 💕,” one user wrote, while another replied: “Your health comes first Sir Rod. Don’t apologize. I wish you a speedy recovery! ❤️🙏🏼.”

Before announcing the cancellation, Stewart revealed that his residency would not end with his 200th concert as he plans to return next spring.

“Vegas, I’m having too much fun to let it stop, so we’re back for an encore!” he wrote via X on Wednesday. “Don’t miss The Encore Shows Las Vegas Residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace March 12-22 and May 29-June 8! Tickets go on sale Monday at 10am PT!”

Stewart began his Las Vegas residency in 2011. Although the British rocker has performed in Sin City for the past 13 years, he knows he’s not the young man he once was.

“I am aware that my days are numbered, but I am not afraid,” he said in a July interview with The sun“We all have to die at some point, so we’re all in the same boat. I’m going to enjoy these last years as much as I can.”

Stewart joked that he thought he had “15” years left to live. He added that as he got older, he had prioritized taking better care of himself compared to his early rock star years.

“I’m not like I was in the ’70s and ’80s anymore. I can’t stay up all night, get drunk and go crazy and still have a voice like that,” he said. “Nowadays, I have to protect my voice before and after every show.”

While Stewart stays hydrated with water throughout his performances, the musician also celebrates each show with a martini afterward with his crew.

“The older you get, the more you have to do that. Water has a lot to do with it. But no, you think I just have water on my bike?” he jokes. “You’re talking to Rod Stewart, mate.”