Is Rod Stewart Sick? His Health Issues Date Back to the 1980s
Rod Stewart has long been known for his distinctive raspy voice, spiky blonde hair and energetic stage presence, but behind the rock star image is a man who’s quietly battled a number of serious health issues. Now 80 years old, Stewart continues to tour the world, but not without a few personal scares along the way.
Over the past few decades, he’s dealt with everything from cancer and vocal injuries to orthopedic surgeries, and while he’s still performing, recent cancellations have sparked renewed concern. Here’s a closer look at the health problems Stewart has faced over the years, and how they’ve affected his career.
He was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2000
Back in 2000, Stewart received a diagnosis of thyroid cancer. While the prognosis was good, the surgery required to remove the cancer came with a major risk of losing his iconic voice. After a successful operation, Stewart had to relearn how to sing. He described it as a long and frustrating process, but eventually, his iconic voice returned, and he went back to touring. Thyroid cancer wasn’t something he spoke about often at first, but in time, he opened up about it in his memoir, hoping to encourage others to get regular check-ups. He told Diane Sawyer in a 2001 interview, “It was a terrible shock.”
In 2016, he was quietly diagnosed with prostate cancer
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Nearly two decades after his thyroid cancer scare, Stewart was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016. He kept the news private for a while, only sharing it publicly three years later at a charity event. Fortunately, Stewart caught it early and was able to undergo treatment before it spread. By 2019, he announced that he was in remission and has since encouraged men to get regular prostate exams. Stewart said, “Guys, you’ve got to really go to the doctor … Finger up the bum, no harm done.”
He had serious vocal strain and used steroids, which led to complications
In the late ’80s and early ’90s, Stewart’s signature gravelly voice began to fail him. To keep performing, he started using steroids to reduce swelling in his vocal cords, which helped at the time but eventually caused serious side effects. He became dependent on the steroids, and at one point, the intense medication led to a ruptured stomach lining during a concert. Eventually, Stewart made changes. He adopted in-ear monitors to better hear himself on stage, which reduced the need to push his voice so hard. He also began taking better care of his vocal cords and changed the way he rehearsed. He recently recalled some great advice Frank Sinatra gave him once “When I met him, he gave me a great tip. He said, ‘Rod, if you want to continue your career, do lots of underwater swimming – lots of it, holding your breath one end to the other because this will improve your lung capacity and make you a better singer.’
He underwent knee replacement surgery in 2020
Decades of playing football (soccer) on hard surfaces had taken a toll on Stewart’s joints. In January 2020, he underwent a full knee replacement. Though he admitted the recovery was painful and slow, he worked through it with physical therapy and a determination to get back on stage. Despite being in his late 70s at the time, Stewart was eager to return to performing and dancing during concerts.
He also had ankle fusion surgery to fix lingering pain in 2022
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Not long after his knee surgery, Stewart had another operation on his ankle. Years of damage had led to constant pain and mobility issues, and doctors recommended fusion surgery to stabilize the joint. After a tough recovery process, he once again surprised fans with how quickly he bounced back and was ready to play football in his free time again. He even returned to training, doing pool exercises and stretching routines to prepare for upcoming tours.
He caught COVID-19 and strep throat in 2024, which forced show cancellations
In August 2024, Stewart had to cancel a milestone 200th Las Vegas residency show at the last minute. Initially, it was due to strep throat, but shortly after, he contracted COVID-19, which led to more postponed shows. Fans were worried, especially since he’d already faced several serious health scares. He released a statement thanking fans for their patience and shared that he was resting at home. Doctors advised him to take his time recovering, especially because of the strain both illnesses could put on his voice. Vocal experts even warned that returning to the stage too quickly might risk long-term damage, something Stewart was understandably cautious about.
He recently canceled a 2025 Las Vegas show, saying he “wasn’t feeling well”
Just this past weekend, Stewart once again had to cancel a show at the last minute. Hours before he was set to take the stage at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the announcement came that the performance would not go on and would be rescheduled for June 10. No further details were shared at the time, but a source told Parade that the singer simply wasn’t feeling well. Given his age and health history, the sudden cancellation sparked concern. However, Stewart is expected to resume the remainder of his “One Last Time” tour this summer and is still slated to perform at the Glastonbury Festival later this month. He’s also set to return to Caesars in September to continue his residency.
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Pop Music Legends
August 2017
Dedicated to the sights, sounds and stories of the golden age of pop.
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