Diagnosed at age 26, Clay Walker has battled multiple sclerosis for much of his country music career. Now 55, he didn’t let his illness stop him from sending more than 30 singles to Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, six of which reached the top. Although the “Rumor Has It” crooner continues to perform despite it all, sometimes his struggle is more visible. Just one week after Walker canceled an Arkansas show due to side effects from MS treatment, fans were devastated to see the ’90s country legend require assistance leaving the stage after a recent show.
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Along with artists like Hank Williams Jr. and Gavin Adcock, Clay Walker played this year’s Rock the South festival in Cullman, Alabama. While the Texas Cowboy Hall of Famer played all the way through his June 19 set, Walker needed help leaving the stage afterwards.
A concertgoer shared footage of Walker’s exit to TikTok, prompting a flood of responses from concerned fans. “O god bless him MS is a thief,” one user wrote. Another fan chimed in, noting it “absolutely breaks my heart” to watch Walker struggle to exit the stage.
Others living with MS shared their experience, with one TikTok user writing, “The heat is one of the worst things. Especially if you are already having symptoms of a flare-up. Prayers for Clay Walker to be able to do what he loves!”
The incident occurred just five days after side effects from MS treatment forced the “Live Until I Die” singer to scrap his June 14 show at Timberwood Amphitheater in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
“I really tried my best to pull through for you all,” he wrote in a social media post.
Watch Clay Walker Nail This Prince Cover at Rock the South
However, Clay Walker didn’t let an MS flare-up get in the way of putting on a show for his fans at Rock the South. For many, a highlight of the night was his tender rendition of Prince’s timeless 1984 hit “Purple Rain.”
“He’s battling MS what a performance,” one TikTok user pointed out.
Another added, “I’ve always loved Clay Walker but damn… he knocked this one out of the park.”
Featured image by Jeff Moore/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
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