Willie Nelson cancels shows after leaving a concert early

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2017, file photo, Willie Nelson performs in Nashville, Tenn. Organizers of the “Harvey Can’t Mess With Texas” benefit concert announced on Wednesday, Sept. 13, that Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon and James Taylor are among the stars headlining the four-hour show scheduled for Sept. 22 in Austin that will raise money for victims of Hurricane Harvey. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File) FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2017, file photo, Willie Nelson performs in Nashville, Tenn. Organizers of the “Harvey Can’t Mess With Texas” benefit concert announced on Wednesday, Sept. 13, that Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon and James Taylor are among the stars headlining the four-hour show scheduled for Sept. 22 in Austin that will raise money for victims of Hurricane Harvey. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

By Associated Press January 10, 2018 1 min read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Country music legend Willie Nelson has canceled shows in Nevada and California after leaving a concert in San Diego after performing one song.

A publicist for Nelson says shows scheduled this week in Rohnert Park, California; Las Vegas; and Laughlin, Nevada, have been canceled. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Nelson left his show at a San Diego casino on Saturday after the first song, “Whiskey River.”

Fans told the newspaper that Nelson was coughing and apparently had difficulty breathing. A statement from Ticketmaster said he left the stage early because of an illness.

Nelson, 84, keeps up a rigorous touring and recording schedule. His latest album, “Willie Nelson and the Boys: Willie’s Stash Vol. 2” featuring his sons Lukas and Micah was released last year.