Rod Stewart canceled two shows in Las Vegas this weekend just hours before he was due to take the stage.The 81-year-old former Faces frontman had been scheduled to perform last night May 29 and tonight May 30 at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace as part of his long-running “Encore” residency.However, both shows were nixed shortly before Stewart was scheduled to appear.In a statement to Las Vegas Review, a representative for Stewart said: “Following his doctor’s advice, Rod Stewart has regretfully cancelled his performances at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on May 29 and 30, but is scheduled to return with shows beginning June 2.”In an additional message from Stewart himself, the singer added: “My apologies to my family of fans. I am on vocal rest as I recover from a sinus infection. I look forward to seeing you at a future show at Caesars Palace or on tour this summer.”Rod Stewart has canceled two dates of his Las Vegas residency but is expected to return next week (AFP/Getty)Stewart was reportedly fine when he completed a show last Wednesday, and he is expected to return to the venue on June 2.Ticketmaster has stated that refunds will be issued for the canceled shows.Earlier this year, Stewart slammed President Donald Trump’s false claims that NATO soldiers avoided the front lines in the war in Afghanistan.The “Maggie May” rocker branded Trump a “draft dodger.”He said in a video posted to Instagram: “I was born just after [World War II], and I’d like respect for our armed forces who fought and gave us our freedom, so it hurts me badly, deeply, that I read the draft dodger Trump is criticizing our troops in Afghanistan for not being on the front line.”Stewart continued: “We lost over 400 of our guys. Think of their parents, think about it, when Trump calls them almost like cowards. It’s unbearable.”“I may just be a humble rock star, I’m also a knight of the realm, and I have my opinions,” Stewart added, calling on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to make “draft dodger Trump apologize.”Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon MusicSign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply.Try for freeADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon MusicSign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply.Try for freeADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.Stewart and Trump were reportedly good friends in previous years. In an interview with Radio Times, Stewart said he used to know Trump “very, very well,” and he would attend his Christmas parties, but they were no longer friends after he became president. Stewart said: “I’m not a great fan of Trump. I knew him very, very well. I used to go to his house.” He added that he lives “literally half a mile away” from him in Palm Beach, Florida.