Lionel Richie cut his performance short on the opening night of a new tour after appearing to fall ill on stage.
The 77-year-old singer stopped his set at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, after around 55 minutes on Wednesday, June 24, reported the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Richie kicked off the 2026 leg of the Sing a Song All Night Long Tour, coheadlined by Earth, Wind & Fire, on Wednesday.
According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Richie’s exit came after he told concertgoers he was feeling dizzy and performed his hit song “Dancing on the Ceiling” while sitting down.
Lionel Richie is opening up about an infamous 1988 incident involving his first wife, Brenda Harvey, and his second wife, Diane Alexander. “In June of 1988 came the point of no return. What very few people knew was that Brenda and I were separated,” the “Hello” singer recalled in his new memoir, Truly, published on […]
“When you’re feeling dizzy, sit your ass down,” he said, noting that he’d never performed the song while seated before.
He later performed “Three Times a Lady” while sitting at a grand piano before announcing a surprise “intermission” and exiting the stage, per the report.
Richie’s band remained on stage for around 15 minutes before also leaving the stage as recorded music played into the arena.
The Star Tribune reported that 40 minutes after Richie left the stage, at around 10:50 p.m. local time, Richie’s saxophonist Dino Soldo returned to give fans an update.
“Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well,” said the musician. “He won’t be able to continue. Additional information will be available.”
According to the report, Earth, Wind & Fire began Wednesday’s show with a 50-minute set, while Richie had been scheduled to perform for 90 minutes.
Us Weekly has reached out to the singer’s representative for comment.
The new leg of the Sing a Song All Night Long Tour was first announced in January, with 26 dates confirmed beginning with Wednesday’s show in Minnesota. Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire are scheduled to perform dates in New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles and more before concluding the tour in Austin, Texas, on August 14.
The Sing a Song All Night Long Tour first launched in 2023, followed by an additional leg in 2024.
Richie expressed excitement for Wednesday’s opening show just hours before he was due on stage.
“Thank you to everyone in my band and crew for all the hard work, dedication, and long hours getting us ready for this tour,” he wrote in an Instagram Story on Tuesday, June 23. “It takes an incredible team behind the scenes to make it all happen, and I’m grateful for each and every one of you. Saint Paul, here we come.”
