Lionel Richie is expected to return to the stage after an onstage health scare forced him to cut short the opening night of his latest tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.
The 77-year-old singer became unwell during the June 24 launch of the Sing A Song All Night Long tour at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota.
People reported that Richie stopped the show about 55 minutes into his set after telling the crowd he felt dizzy.
Richie later postponed two shows under doctors’ advice, but his ex-wife Brenda Harvey Richie told fans he was doing well and would return to performing.
Richie Sat Down During “Dancing on the Ceiling”
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The moment happened while Richie was performing “Dancing on the Ceiling.” Video from the concert showed him sitting down onstage and joking with the crowd about listening to his body.
“When you are feeling dizzy, sit your ass down,” Richie told the audience, according to Entertainment Weekly. He added that it was the first time in the history of “Dancing on the Ceiling” that he had performed the song sitting down.
Richie then performed “Three Times a Lady” while seated at the piano before the show moved into an unplanned intermission. Saxophonist Dino Soldo later came onstage and told the audience Richie was not feeling well and would not be able to continue.
His Ex-Wife Shared a Reassuring Update
Brenda Harvey Richie later gave fans a positive update. InStyle reported that Brenda wrote on X, “Thanking everyone for their concern! Lionel is OK and will be back on the stage.”
InStyle reported that Richie was treated by paramedics and taken to a hospital after leaving the stage. Entertainment Weekly reported that representatives for Richie did not respond to the outlet’s request for comment after the incident.
Brenda, who was married to Richie from 1975 to 1993, also reshared a fan’s post pushing back on calls for Richie to retire. The fan wrote, “He is iconic. He does NOT need anyone telling him when to quit,” according to Entertainment Weekly.
Two Tour Dates Were Postponed
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Following the St. Paul concert, Richie postponed two shows: June 26 in Chicago and June 27 in Columbus, Ohio. The United Center said the postponements came “under advisement by doctors to rest and return to full health.”
The venue said Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire were expected to return to the stage Tuesday, June 30, in Pittsburgh. The statement also said Richie was “heartbroken” to postpone the two shows and that rescheduled dates would be announced soon.
People reported that the postponed shows were part of the 26-city North American run with Earth, Wind & Fire.
The Tour Is Scheduled to Continue in Pittsburgh
The Sing A Song All Night Long tour is still listed on Richie’s official website, with the next date scheduled for June 30 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
Richie’s official tour page also lists a July 1 show at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, followed by July stops in Toronto, Montreal, Boston, New York, Belmont Park and Philadelphia.
The tour is scheduled to continue through Aug. 14 in Austin, Texas, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.