Singer Lionel Richie is on the road to recovery after experiencing a medical emergency during a concert in St. Paul, Minnesota, his ex-wife Brenda Harvey has reported.
Richie, 77, abruptly ended his performance at the Grand Casino Arena on Wednesday evening, telling the audience he felt "dizzy" and subsequently had to perform while seated. The incident led to the postponement of two dates on his "Sing A Song All Night Long" tour with Earth, Wind & Fire. A statement released on his behalf indicated that doctors had advised him to rest.
Harvey took to social media platform X to provide an update, stating, "Thanking everyone for their concern! Lionel is OK and will be back on the stage." The United Center in Chicago confirmed that Richie's concerts scheduled for June 26 in Chicago and June 27 in Columbus, Ohio, have been postponed. The tour is expected to resume on June 30 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Sources close to Richie suggest that while family and friends are concerned about his health, the artist himself is more focused on returning to performing. "Music isn't just his job; it's what keeps him going," one insider told the Daily Mail. "He's not someone who sits still, and retirement has never really been part of the conversation unless his health leaves him with no other choice."
The incident unfolded during Richie's performance of "Dancing On The Ceiling." Videos shared by concertgoers showed the singer appearing unsteady and stopping to sit down multiple times. He reportedly advised the crowd, "When you’re feeling dizzy, sit your a** down!"
Paramedics met Richie backstage, and he was transported to a hospital by ambulance as a precautionary measure, according to sources. A band member later informed the audience that Richie was not feeling well and could not continue the show.
Richie expressed his disappointment over not being able to complete the show for his fans. "He hates disappointing people and feels terrible that the concert couldn't continue as planned," a source said. He is reportedly awaiting further medical results but views the event as a "temporary setback."