Rod Stewart has announced that he intends to stop touring after next year’s European dates and a small number of performances in the United States, bringing renewed attention to the challenges facing ageing music stars who continue performing well into their seventies, eighties and beyond.
The 81-year-old singer made the announcement after what has been an increasingly demanding period on stage, including a recent performance in Utah where he required oxygen after becoming exhausted during his set.
Stewart has named the forthcoming run the Final Encore Tour, insisting that next year will mark the end of his live touring career.
A Utah Performance Raised Concerns
During a performance in Utah in June, Stewart appeared to struggle physically while performing Young Turks.
The singer initially used his piano for support before leaning against the tall plastic structure surrounding his drummer. Near the end of the performance, he doubled over and was given an oxygen tank.
Stewart later told the cheering crowd that he had nearly fainted while attempting some of his dance moves.
The incident came after he underwent a coronary stent procedure in August, according to the report surrounding his retirement announcement.
Will This Really Be Stewart’s Final Tour?
Stewart’s declaration has prompted a familiar question in the music industry: will this actually be his final farewell?
Many veteran performers have announced retirement or final tours only to return to the road later.
For Stewart, however, the decision comes as he approaches 82 and after decades of performing energetic shows around the world.
His situation also reflects a broader trend among established musicians, many of whom are continuing to perform despite the physical demands that come with ageing.
Lionel Richie Has Also Struggled on Stage
Lionel Richie, 77, recently provided another example of the difficulties veteran performers can encounter during live shows.
Earlier this month, Richie asked for a chair before performing his final number, All Night Long, at a sold-out concert in Missouri.
The moment drew supportive reactions from the audience, but it followed another incident in June when Richie became dizzy and felt unwell during a performance in Minnesota.
He performed Dancing On The Ceiling while sitting on the bottom step of his stage set before playing Three Times A Lady on piano. He subsequently announced an intermission and did not return to the stage.
Rock’s Ageing Generation Refuses to Stop
The trend extends across several generations of rock and pop.
David Lee Roth, 71, abruptly shortened his summer tour in July without giving a detailed explanation, while 82-year-old Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has previously spoken about his desire to die performing on stage. The Rolling Stones’ planned 2026 tour was cancelled in part because of Richards’ arthritis.
Beach Boys frontman Mike Love, 85, also announced recently that the band was shelving its remaining tour dates while he took what was described as a short break to recharge.
Even artists in their nineties have continued to perform. Frankie Valli, the 92-year-old singer and Grease star, remains associated with touring despite long-running criticism from some observers over allegations that he lip-syncs. Valli has denied those accusations.
Gladys Knight Steps Back From Touring
Soul legend Gladys Knight, 82, has also decided to step back from touring next year.
The announcement followed concerns after a July performance at the Hollywood Bowl during which reports described her as appearing confused and at times wandering from the stage.
Knight rejected claims that her health and performances had been misrepresented after her son raised concerns about her condition and alleged that her husband and manager had ignored signs of dementia.
Knight disputed that characterization.
Older Stars Are Still Big Business
Despite the physical challenges, the appetite for performances by veteran musicians remains enormous.
According to Billboard Boxscore figures cited in the report, five of the ten biggest international touring acts in 2024 were artists aged over 60, including Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna and Metallica.
Iron Maiden, whose members are now largely in their late sixties and early seventies, generated more than $150 million from touring in 2025, while the Eagles reached a similar figure.
Springsteen and Paul McCartney also generated more than $100 million from live performances in 2025 despite playing relatively limited numbers of shows.
Bob Dylan, at 85, continues his long-running touring career, while Barry Manilow, now 83, remains a regular live performer.
Farewell Tours Have Become Part of Music History
Manilow is one of the clearest examples of how difficult it can be for major performers to walk away permanently.
He announced his retirement from touring in 2004 with the One Night Live! One Last Time! tour, but continued performing in the years that followed.
After undergoing surgery for lung cancer late last year, Manilow returned to the stage within six months of having a tumour removed.
Elton John, 79, has similarly announced his departure from touring more than once. His most recent farewell tour concluded in 2023, yet he continues to make occasional appearances.
Why Do Veteran Stars Keep Going?
The desire to perform is only part of the explanation.
The economics of modern music have also changed dramatically. Streaming has reduced the financial importance of traditional album sales for many established artists, while major concert tours can generate enormous revenues through tickets, merchandise and VIP packages.
Older performers also have a valuable advantage: generations of loyal fans who may be willing to pay premium prices for what could be one of their final opportunities to see them live.
For some audiences, a performer’s age can make a concert even more meaningful because there is an understanding that opportunities to see them may be limited.
The Stage Has Become Easier on Ageing Performers
Life on tour has also changed considerably compared with the era when many of today’s veteran stars first became famous.
The excesses associated with the rock-and-roll lifestyle of previous decades have, for many performers, been replaced by fitness regimes, personal trainers and greater attention to health.
That does not eliminate the physical demands of performing, however, particularly for artists whose biggest hits were built around energetic stage shows.
Stewart’s recent experience in Utah demonstrates just how difficult maintaining that pace can become.
Stewart’s Decision Marks Another Turning Point
Whether Stewart’s Final Encore Tour ultimately proves to be his last remains to be seen.
For now, the singer plans to continue performing into his eighties before bringing his touring career to a close.
His announcement comes at a time when many of the musicians who defined popular music for decades are confronting the same question: how long can the desire to perform continue when the physical demands of the stage become increasingly difficult?
For millions of fans, the answer may simply be that they would rather see their favourite stars perform while they still can.
