Do ya think he’s sketchy? Rod Stewart canceled a Friday night concert in the San Diego area at the last minute, citing a sinus infection and laryngitis, only to jet off to Boston the next day to see Scotland take on Haiti in the FIFA World Cup.
The rock legend’s gig at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre was canceled just 45 minutes before showtime, with Live Nation announcing that Stewart was suffering from a sinus infection. A statement on his social media platforms further explained, “He 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 has resulted in laryngitis, he is unable to take to the stage this evening.”
Stewart himself issued an apology for missing the show, writing, “Well, here I am in beautiful Chula Vista as the stage is being taken down around me. 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.”
However, the next morning, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer posted a video of himself with two of his sons inside a private jet on Instagram, writing, “Me and the boys off to Boston to see our Scotland in the World Cup! No Scotland no party.”
In the video, Stewart and his sons sing, “No Scotland, no party” to the tune of the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” with the veteran rocker seemingly not severely affected by laryngitis.
Not surprisingly, Stewart received a lot of backlash in the comments, with one person writing, “I understand that shows sometimes have to be canceled, and if there was a legitimate reason, most fans would have accepted it. What’s hard to accept is seeing you apparently celebrating on a plane with friends less than 24 hours after thousands of people were sent home disappointed in San Diego. Many traveled long distances, paid for hotels, parking, tickets, and took time off work to be there. Then to see you flying across the country for a soccer game the very next morning makes the situation feel even more tone deaf.”
Another comment read, “Hey Rod, lost a little respect for you canceling your concert the night before disappointing a stadium full of people… Hard to believe you really had laryngitis! You sound like you have a voice to me! i used to really like you, but when I say I lost a little respect, I mean a LOT of respect!”
Stewart was later pictured drinking at the match, at which Scotland defeated Haiti 1-0. While Stewart is British, his father was Scottish, thus his devotion to the country’s soccer team.
A representative for Stewart told The San Diego Union-Tribune that the singer was administered “a few rounds of steroids and treatment in the hopes of being able to perform. He was there (at the venue) but we had to text because he had no voice. Evidently, (the steroids) kicked in but too late for the show.”
Rod Stewart’s “One Last Time” farewell tour is scheduled to continue with a two-night stand tonight and tomorrow at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. Tickets to the remaining dates are available here.
See Rod Stewart’s aforementioned Instagram post below.
