Rod Stewart has addressed the backlash he received for attending Scotland's World Cup match against Haiti just a day after canceling a concert in California due to illness.
The 81-year-old singer explained his decision on the talkSPORT radio program, stating that he did not want to disappoint his two sons, whom he had promised to take to a World Cup.
"No, I got an awful... I really shouldn't have gone to the Haiti game," Stewart said. "You know, I had to cancel a show the night before because I just had no voice left. But the truth is, Jim, I wasn't going to let my two sons down. I promised them since they were born that we were going to go to a World Cup. And this is the first one that's come about. And it wasn't a good look, I admit, but I'm going to have to just take the stick. So I did it for the boys."
Stewart's concert in Chula Vista, California, was canceled on short notice due to an acute upper respiratory infection that led to laryngitis. His team announced the cancellation on social media, stating he had traveled to the venue and made every effort to perform but was unable to on the advice of his doctors. Stewart himself later posted on Instagram from the empty venue, apologizing to fans and stating he was feeling better but his voice was still affected.
However, less than 24 hours later, Stewart posted a video on Instagram showing him and his sons, Alastair, 20, and Liam, 31, on a private jet bound for Boston. He was subsequently pictured cheering at the World Cup match, which Scotland won 1-0.
The singer faced criticism from fans who viewed his actions as disingenuous, particularly after thousands of concertgoers were sent home disappointed.
Stewart's explanation comes amid his "One Last Time" farewell tour. He had previously mentioned in an interview that he has around 40 shows scheduled for the current year and planned to tour the UK the following year, potentially concluding his live performances at London's O2 arena.
Stewart and his wife, Penny Lancaster, were recently photographed enjoying a date night at Annabel's in London. Stewart sported a satin blue blazer, a pearl necklace, and dark green nail polish, while Lancaster wore a white floral shirt dress.