Lionel Richie was hospitalized in St. Louis over the weekend after performing in the city, but a source close to his tour says the music legend is doing okay. The 77-year-old icon took the stage on Saturday at the Muny, and while videos showed him performing through his set, he asked his team to bring out a stool during the closing song “All Night Long” so he could sit while continuing. It’s a moment that speaks to the resilience we admire in our Lionel Richie legends—they show up, they perform, and they take care of themselves.
This hospitalization comes months after Richie was forced to cut short a concert in St. Paul, Minnesota, after becoming dizzy onstage. During that show, he paused the performance about 55 minutes in after sitting down during “Dancing on the Ceiling.” With his signature humor and realness, he told the crowd, “When you’re feeling dizzy, sit your a– down.” Roughly 40 minutes later, saxophonist Dino Soldo returned to tell fans Richie was “not feeling well” and couldn’t finish the concert.
Richie subsequently postponed two shows on his tour with Earth, Wind & Fire before returning to the stage June 30 and completing the rest of the scheduled run without further issues. His St. Louis performance marked his first show since that tour ended.
Looking ahead, Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire are expected to reunite in September and October for rescheduled concerts before Richie begins a Las Vegas residency with dates planned for October and November. The man’s work ethic and dedication to his craft remain unmatched.
★m★
