Lionel Richie, 77, sparked health concerns after abruptly ending the opening concert of his Sing A Song All Night Long tour alongside Earth, Wind & Fire at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota. The singer announced an unexpected 40-minute intermission during the performance before ultimately canceling the rest of the show.
Performance Halted Mid-Set
Richie had just performed his hit Three Times A Lady from the piano when he told the crowd he needed a break and exited the stage. His backing band followed shortly after, but one musician later returned to inform the audience that Richie was too unwell to continue. Saxophonist Dino Soldo, as reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune, stated: "Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well. He won’t be able to continue. Additional information will be available."
Audience Concerns on Social Media
Fans shared videos on social media showing Richie sitting down multiple times during a rendition of Dancing On The Ceiling, reportedly telling the audience he felt "dizzy." In one clip, he could be seen walking around the stage before becoming unsteady and stopping to sit on the edge of a large platform. He continued singing while seated but soon stood again, only to sit once more. A fan told the Star Tribune that Richie said "he has been in this business long enough" and had learned that "if you feel dizzy, you sit down."
Tour Disrupted
The concert marked the first of 26 scheduled summer dates across the US. Earth, Wind & Fire typically open the show with hits like Boogie Wonderland and September, followed by a second half from Richie. The next performance was set for June 26 at the United Center in Chicago. Some audience members began leaving as soon as the band left the stage, about 15 minutes after Richie exited. One fan quoted by the Star Tribune said: "I’m super bummed. This was my first time [seeing Richie] and I’m old." Representatives for Richie were contacted for comment but no further details on his condition were immediately available.
