Photo Credit: Lionel Richie by Raph_PH / CC by 2.0

Lionel Richie and Rod Stewart both experienced unsteadiness on stage this week, sparking concerns that older musicians are pushing themselves too hard.

Following reports that he was battling a respiratory illness, Rod Stewart had to use an oxygen mask to finish his performance in Utah over the weekend. The 81-year-old legend said he nearly fainted—but he still didn’t miss a note.

Meanwhile, 77-year-old Lionel Richie called an unexpected intermission this week after he said he felt dizzy, and performed the remainder of his St. Paul show sitting down. The rest of the show was ultimately cancelled when the R&B icon felt unable to continue.

Stewart’s show was at the Utah First Credit Amphitheater in West Valley City, Utah, which is notably around 4,300 feet above sea level and could account for the artist’s shortness of breath. That’s in addition to the summer heat—but since Stewart recently announced battling a respiratory illness, any of these factors could have contributed to his unsteadiness.

“The show must go on. I nearly fuckin’ fainted up there, I’m telling you. Trying to do a little step and a dance, I nearly fuckin’ fainted,” Stewart told the crowd, before asking if they’d mind if he sat down for his next number.

Stewart was recently hit with criticism from fans after he cancelled a show in California due to health concerns, but then showed up in Boston to catch a FIFA World Cup match the next day. But his dizziness while performing in Utah highlights the possibility that veteran performers like Stewart may be pushing themselves too hard.

Lionel Richie was performing in Minnesota on Wednesday and was about 55 minutes into his set when he announced the unexpected intermission. Moments before, he had told fans that he was feeling a bit dizzy, which was why he had opted to perform his hit “Dancing on the Ceiling” sitting down. He noted he had never done that song sitting down before, but “When you’re feeling dizzy, you sit your ass down.”

He performed a couple more songs sitting down before he proclaimed a sudden intermission and exited the stage. His band members remained onstage for about 15 minutes before they too left the stage without a word.

Recorded music was broadcast over the sound system at a low volume, but fans became frustrated that there was no announcement, and many began to depart the theater. About 40 minutes later, saxophonist Dino Soldo came onstage and thanked the audience for their patience.

“Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well,” said Soldo. “He won’t be able to continue. Additional information will be available.”

While fans were certainly disappointed at the sudden cancellation, many were thankful that Richie had made such an effort in the first place.

“I’m grateful for what he was able to do at age 77,” said a Minneapolis-based fan. “I wasn’t surprised he had to sit. Rod Stewart did that recently, and he did that with oxygen.”

Richie’s next performance is scheduled for Friday in Chicago, while Rod Stewart is heading to Portugal this weekend to kick off a few shows in Europe before returning stateside in August. Whether either artist will need to reschedule their shows remains to be seen, but unexpected changes are par for the course when you’re an aging superstar.