Photo Credit: Rod Stewart by Joe Bielawa / CC by 2.0
Fans are outraged as Rod Stewart was spotted at a Scotland FIFA World Cup match less than a day after he abruptly cancelled a California show due to illness.
Rock icon Rod Stewart nixed his scheduled Friday night show in San Diego just 40 minutes before he was due to hit the stage, with organizers initially citing a sinus infection. Later, the star clarified that doctors diagnosed him with an acute upper respiratory infection that caused laryngitis. But less than a day later, Stewart was seen cheering on Scotland and drinking at a FIFA World Cup match, which led fans to blast him on social media.
After the cancellation, the 81-year-old singer apologized to fans online Friday night and said he hoped to reschedule the San Diego performance. But early Saturday, Stewart posted a video online showing himself boarding a private jet with his adult sons as they headed off to Boston to watch Scotland play Haiti in the World Cup.
The post immediately drew ire from fans who noted how Stewart appeared energetic and vocally sound after saying he couldn’t perform the night before due to laryngitis. Things got further out of hand after photos and videos began circulating from the match that showed Stewart smiling in the stands with two alcoholic beverages in front of him.
A representative for Stewart defended the cancellation, doubling down that the star’s illness was genuine. They said Stewart had received “a few rounds of steroids and treatment in the hopes of being able to perform,” which led to him looking and sounding better hours later.
“He was there [at the venue], but we had to text because he had no voice,” said Stewart’s representative. “Eventually, [the steroids] kicked in, but too late for the show.”
But that did little to placate the frustrated fans.
“Why does he post this after disappointing 10-15K fans?” wrote one person, criticizing the timing of Stewart’s Saturday morning video. “Almost seems to be intentional. Surely does not care that his fans were truly disappointed and just 45 minutes before start time last night.”
“Too ill to perform but okay to fly across the country for soccer?” questioned another fan on Instagram.
Rod Stewart is next due to perform on Monday at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, but fans wonder if the star has truly recovered. Meanwhile, San Diego fans hope the rescheduled show comes sooner rather than later.
