Lionel Richie Cuts Short Tour Opener After Feeling Ill onstage
Lionel Richie interrupted the opening night of his new North American tour after feeling dizzy during a show in Minnesota. The 77-year-old singer had been performing for about an hour at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul with Earth, Wind & Fire when he struggled through "Dancing on the Ceiling," sat down several times, then moved to the piano to sing "Three Times a Lady."
Richie told the crowd, "When you feel dizzy, sit your ass down," before asking for a break. The band stayed onstage for about 15 minutes, then also left. About 40 minutes later, saxophonist Dino Soldo told the audience, "Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well. He will not be able to continue. More information will be provided later."
Before the concert, Richie had posted enthusiastically on Instagram about the tour kickoff, writing, "Opening night. Rehearsals. Sound check. Showtime tonight. Saint Paul, you're next!!!" Earlier in the week, he also thanked his band and crew in a story for their "hard work, dedication and long hours" preparing for the run.
The new tour includes 26 shows across North America, with the next stop scheduled for Friday at the United Center in Chicago. It was not immediately clear whether Richie will be able to perform after the abrupt end to the first show. In 2020, he told Rolling Stone he had no plans to retire, saying, "They'll have to carry me out, baby."
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