Lionel Richie’s new tour with Earth, Wind & Fire began with an unexpected health scare in Minnesota.
The 77-year-old singer cut short his Wednesday, June 24, concert at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul after telling the crowd he felt dizzy during the show.
People reported that the concert was the opening night of Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Sing a Song All Night Long tour.
The show was expected to run about 90 minutes, but The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that Richie’s set ended after roughly 55 minutes.
Richie Sat Down During “Dancing on the Ceiling”
Because he was feeling dizzy and strange, @lionelrichie performed Dancing on the Ceiling sitting down on opening night @grandcasarena pic.twitter.com/5LYk5unI9s
— Jon Bream (@jonbream) June 25, 2026
Richie was performing “Dancing on the Ceiling” when he sat down onstage. People reported that he told fans he had never performed the song seated before.
He joked with the crowd about the dizzy spell, telling them that when someone feels dizzy, the best thing to do is sit down.
Richie continued long enough to finish the song, then performed “Three Times a Lady” while seated at the piano.
He Tried to Continue Before Leaving the Stage
After “Three Times a Lady,” Richie left the stage for what first appeared to be a break. The Star Tribune reported that the audience waited as his band remained offstage.
About 40 minutes later, saxophonist Dino Soldo came out and told the crowd Richie was still not feeling well and would not be able to continue. Entertainment Weekly reported that Soldo thanked fans for their patience and said Richie needed to end the show because of his health.
A Band Member Pointed to Dehydration
Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris told the Star Tribune that Richie had shown no signs of illness before the concert.
Paris said Richie seemed to be “a little dehydrated,” according to People. Richie’s representatives had not immediately issued a fuller public health update when People and Entertainment Weekly published their reports.
TMZ later reported that Richie was taken to a hospital after the show.
The Tour Is Scheduled to Continue in Chicago
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The St. Paul concert was the first date on the latest North American run for Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire.
The next stop is scheduled for Friday, June 26, at United Center in Chicago, according to Ticketmaster and the venue’s event listing.
The tour is also set to visit cities including Toronto, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Los Angeles before wrapping its North American dates later this summer.