Rockin’ Rod Stewart is apparently testing the allegiance of some big fans from Southern California … and you might blame the World Cup.
The Palm Beach resident and singer of such hits as “Maggie May” and “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” is a big soccer fan and a bigger fan of Scotland.
With Scotland appearing in the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, Stewart made it to their first Cup match, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, against Haiti on Saturday, June 13, where the 81-age blond rocker was seen possibly enjoying a few alcoholic drinks.
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Not a big deal in itself, as the England-born Stewart reportedly embraces his father’s Scottish lineage and he considers Scotland his spiritual homeland. He was a talented young soccer player who reportedly tried out for a club team at one point and, as this reporter witnessed during a concert in the 1980s, he at times would kick soccer balls into the upper decks of arenas during his shows.
The problem is that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee was scheduled to perform at his “One Last Time” concert near San Diego on Friday night, June 12. He canceled just 40 minutes before the show’s scheduled 7:30 p.m. starting time, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The paper reported the reason cited was a sinus infection that resulted in laryngitis, with the paper sourcing Live Nation, the concert’s promoter.
On top of that, the Union-Tribune reported Stewart’s sinus infection seemed to come on quickly; he got great reviews for his concert Wednesday, June 10, at the Hollywood Bowl. In fact, the Union-Tribune cited a review in The Orange County Register that Stewart’s trademark rasp “seemed to have barely lost any of its power over his six decades as a star.”
So when Stewart flew 3,500 miles from San Diego to Boston (and anyone who has had a sinus infection can attest how uncomfortable it is flying with one), fans were not happy.
Stewart apologized on social media, saying: “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.”
But on Saturday, Stewart appeared on Instagram documenting his trip aboard a private jet to Boston, saying he would “die a happy man” if Scotland advanced. To add salt to San Diego’s wounds, Stewart was seen on TV in a luxury box during the Scotland-Haiti match with his sons and what appeared to be alcoholic drinks.
One person commented on his Instagram post, saying, “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.”
The commenter went on: “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. The cancellation was frustrating enough, but this comes across as incredibly dismissive of the fans who support your career. A little empathy and awareness would have gone a long way.”
Another commenter said: “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!”
As for Stewart, who owns an oceanfront mansion on Billionaires Row in Palm Beach, he apparently can die a happy man as Scotland beat Haiti 1-0, earning their first World Cup victory in 36 years.
As for Scotland’s next game, it’s Friday, June 19, at 6 p.m. against Morocco, also in Foxborough, around the same time Stewart is scheduled to continue his tour in Salt Lake City, Utah.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Rod Stewart faces heat after cancelled concert, appears at World Cup
Reporting by John Bisognano, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By John Bisognano, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
