Back in 1964, Mick Jagger declared that “time is on my side” in The Rolling Stones’ hit single.
That, however, was six decades ago, and the 20-something guy who sang those words is now 83 (even if he can still dance like a man a third his age).
With Jagger’s peers also of advancing age, it’s truly remarkable how many of them are still rocking. That said, it’s also true that while the spirit is willing, the flesh may not be able to accommodate. That’s the case with several classic rock acts forced to pull the plug on their tours this year, for varying reasons.
Rod Stewart
GettyAfter a tour plagued with cancelled dates — and even one when he required puffing from an oxygen tank during a performance — Rod Stewart cancelled his remaining 2026 tour dates in August while revealing he needed time to recover from a heart procedure he’d undergone.
“Doctors are pleased with his recovery, and Rod is doing very well and has returned to his normal daily activities,” read a statement. “On the advice of his doctors, he will take the next four weeks to recuperate and regain full fitness before returning to the stage,” the statement continued. “Unfortunately, this means he will be unable to continue his current tour dates.”
Added Sir Rod: “I’m deeply disappointed to miss these shows and sorry to let my fans down, but I look forward to getting back on stage and having a good time with you all again soon.”
David Lee Roth
In late July, David Lee Roth quietly shelved all but one of the dates for his 2026 tour. The sole show remaining will take place during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota.
While there has been no official reason given for the cancelations, rumors claim the cause was “blue dot fever” (the industry term for so many unsold tickets that a scan of the venue’s ticket availability reveals a sea of yet-to-sold blue seats), compelling the former Van Halen frontman to pull the plug.
Sadly, this phenomenon has become increasingly prevalent in a financial equation that’s seen touring costs increase at the same time that consumers’ disposable income has fallen.
Joan Jett
In early August, Joan Jett was forced to postpone some upcoming tour dates.
“Following a recent injury, Joan Jett has undergone orthopedic surgery on a fractured vertebrae and will begin the necessary healing process,” her team said in a statement shared on Instagram Stories (via People). “In close consultation with her doctors, Joan will not be able to perform at her forthcoming September scheduled shows in Costa Mesa, CA on September 5th and in Louisville, KY on September 24th.”
“While Joan hates to disappoint fans, she will be taking this time to focus on physical therapy and healing,” the statement continued. “She’s looking forward to delivering tremendous concerts for many years to come.”
It’s expected that Jett and her band will return to the road once she’s healed up — which is estimated to take a few months at minimum.
Adrian Vandenberg
On August 3, former Whitesnake guitarist Adrian Vandenberg canceled his entire 2026 U.S. tour.
As he told fans in an Instagram post, he’d been hospitalized with a bacterial infection “that invaded my body and that needs to get taken care of right away. “Never in my roughly 60-year long career as a touring/ gigging guitar player [have] I had to cancel a show or tour. Not even when in 1987 I had my face totally ripped open in an early morning traffic accident in New York,” he lamented.
He promised to reschedule the canceled dates as soon as he felt well enough to return the stage.
Twisted Sister
In late 2025, Twisted Sister announced plans to reunite for a 50th anniversary tour in 2026.
Sadly, in February frontman Dee Snider announced he was exiting the band in order do deal with some health issues he was experiencing. The band then confirmed the tour had been axed due to Dee Snider’s “sudden and unexpected resignation” brought about “by a series of health challenges.”
A few months later, the band announced the tour was back on — this time with former Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach filling in on vocals. Snider gave his “full blessing” to the so-called “Twisted Skidster” lineup, which hit the road on August 28.
Bret Michaels
Earlier this year, former “Poison” frontman, one-time “Rock of Love” reality TV star and Type 1 diabetic Bret Michaels canceled several shows after undergoing emergency surgery for a painful kidney stone that refused to pass. He resumed his tour on August 21, but that return was not the comeback he’d anticipated. In a social media post, he revealed he was canceling his remaining 2026 dates on the orders of his doctors.
“We will be pulling Bret off the road for the time being,” read the statement. “He wanted to attempt this show, but we feel there is a much-needed period of rest and slow recovery ahead, especially considering the heat and humidity during the summer months and the effect it can have on his blood sugar levels.”
Glenn Hughes
Singer Glenn Hughes, who’d previously fronted such classic rock bands as Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, canceled his 2026 spring tour due to what he described at the time as a “minor health issue.”
Sadly, it turned out to be not so minor. A few months later, Hughes announced he was retiring from touring completely. “The results from numerous MRIs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram have alerted my medical team that I need another open-heart surgery,” he explained in an Instagram post. “I really have no option and no choice as health is my number one priority. Grateful to have been chosen with a life full with the gift of music… Thank you for walking beside me.”
Psychedelic Furs
The Psychedelic Furs had been scheduled to tour with Living Colour during the spring and summer of 2026, but in early May announced the whole tour had been shelved. “Due to a serious medical issue in the band, the tour dates scheduled for spring and summer are being canceled,” the band said in a statement. “Please accept our deepest apologies for the inconvenience.” Fans later found out that bassist Tim Butler had undergone triple-bypass heart surgery.
The Beach Boys
In July, the Beach Boys canceled and/or postponed nearly 30 summer dates on the band’s Endless Summer Gold tour, which was then scheduled to resume in September.
Amid rumors that 85-year-old singer Mike Love had been experiencing some health issues, and fans’ observation that his once-powerful voice had grown weak and strained, the only reason given was that the band required a “short break to recharge.”
Neil Young
In February, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts canceled a 13-date European tour.
“I have decided to take a break and will not be touring Europe this time,” Young announced on his official website. “Thanks to everyone who bought tickets. I’m sorry to let you down, but this is not the time.”
No explanation was provided at the time, although Young subsequently announced he and his current band would be performing three U.S. shows in September, one of which is his annual appearance at Farm Aid.
Scorpions
German metal band the Scorpions had been scheduled to hit the road for a brief tour in India, but that plan was scrapped and all four shows canceled.
In a statement on the band’s website, the reason for the cancelation was cited as “unforeseen medical circumstances affecting the band members,” with the band promising to return to India “when possible and within their schedule.”
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons was slated to play three shows with his band in July, but wound up canceling them all.
No explanation was given, but industry buzz theorized the cancelations were due to poor ticket sales, another case of “blue dot fever.”
However, Simmons will reunite his Kiss bandmates in November for a Las Vegas residency.
Yes
Prog rock veterans Yes postponed their spring and summer 2026 tour in April. The reason given was that guitarist Steve Howe required “an essential operation that needs recovery time.”
While the exact nature of Howe’s medical issue was not revealed, the tour was subsequently rescheduled to kick off in May 2027.
