Lionel Richie, 77, has sparked health fears after he had to pull out of his first concert
Lionel Richie had to leave the stage halfway through the performance(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images f)
Lionel Richie, 77, has sparked concerns over his health after falling ill mid-performance, forcing him to bring his opening concert to an abrupt end. The veteran vocalist was on stage at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, when he announced an unexpected 40-minute break before eventually canceling the rest of the event.
The concert in St. Paul marked the launch of his co-headlining Sing A Song All Night Long tour alongside Earth, Wind & Fire. After delivering a rendition of Three Times A Lady from his piano, the singer informed the audience that there would be a short intermission and left the stage.
While his backing band followed him shortly after, a musician subsequently returned to the stage to break the news that Richie was too ill to resume the concert, reports The mirror.
Saxophonist Dino Soldo said, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune, “Unfortunately, Lionel is not doing well. He will not be able to continue. Further information will be available.”
Fans who attended the show took to social media with their concerns for Richie’s health. Videos they shared of him performing showed him having to sit down several times during a rendition of Dancing On The Ceiling. He reportedly told the audience it was because he felt “dizzy”.
In a video on X, Richie could be seen singing as he walked around the stage before becoming unsteady and abruptly stopping to sit on the edge of a large platform. He continued to sing while sitting, but was soon on his feet again. However, it wasn’t long before he had to sing his again.
A fan reportedly told the Star Tribune that Richie said “he’s been in this business long enough” and that he had learned that “if you feel dizzy, you sit down”.
The publication also reported that some of the audience had already started to leave when the saxophonist revealed that the show would end there. Some started filing out as soon as the band left the stage, which happened about 15 minutes after Richie left the stage.
The Star Tribune quoted one fan as saying they were “super bummed”. They said: “I’m super upset. This was my first time (seeing Richie) and I’m old.”
This was the first night of Richie’s tour with Earth, Wind & Fire. In the shows, disco group Earth, Wind & Fire play their hits, such as Boogie Wonderland and September, in the first half, while Richie takes to the stage for the second.
Currently, the tour is set to take place across 26 cities throughout the summer, with their next performance set to be at the United Center in Chicago on June 26th.
The Mirror contacted Richie’s representatives for comment.
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