Richie Show Halted
Lionel Richie Unexpectedly Ends St. Paul Tour Early After Falling Ill Onstage
Key Points
Lionel Richie told the crowd, "When you're feeling dizzy, sit your ass down."
Onstage, saxophonist Dino Soldo announced, "Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well. He won’t be able to continue."
The intermission lasted roughly 40 minutes, with the band remaining on stage for about 15 minutes before exiting, before the show ended prematurely.
Audience members noted that concertgoers began leaving after the band left, due in part to the lack of a detailed update on Richie’s health.
Video footage circulated showing Richie swaying and appearing dizzy during the performance of Dancing on the Ceiling, with reports he was unable to complete the set.
Lionel Richie, 77, was forced to cut his opening night concert short after falling ill mid-performance during his "Sing a Song All Night Long" tour in St. Paul, Minnesota. The show at the Grand Casino Arena ended after roughly an hour when Richie told the crowd, "When you're feeling dizzy, sit your ass down," Variety reported.
Saxophonist Dino Soldo stepped to the microphone after a 40-minute intermission to deliver the news: "Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well. He won't be able to continue." Concertgoers, many of whom had paid an average of $338 per ticket, began filing out with no official word on Richie's condition or what comes next, according to Variety.
Richie Swayed Onstage Before Sitting Down Mid-Song
Trouble first appeared around 10:00 PM during Richie's performance of "Dancing on the Ceiling." Video footage circulated online showed him swaying and appearing unsteady on his feet. Journalist Patrick Kessler captured the moment on X, formerly Twitter, and the clips spread quickly, Variety reported.
Richie then moved to the piano to perform "Three Times a Lady," sitting down multiple times during the transition. He announced an unplanned intermission shortly after and left the stage around 10:15 PM. His band stayed on stage for about 15 more minutes before they too exited, leaving the crowd waiting with no updates, according to Variety.
Fans Waited 40 Minutes for an Answer That Didn't Come
After the band left the stage, the crowd at the 18,000-capacity Xcel Energy Center sat in uncertainty for roughly 40 minutes. When Soldo finally returned to make the cancellation official, many fans were already heading for the exits, Variety reported. No venue staff offered any comment on refunds or rescheduling at that time.
Reaction on social media split between concern and frustration. Some fans expressed worry about Richie's health, with one user writing that "he did not look good." Others were upset by the long wait for an official announcement after the band had already cleared the stage, according to ca.news.yahoo.com.
A 26-City Tour Hangs in the Balance
The "Sing a Song All Night Long" tour was billed as a major collaboration between Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire, with EW&F opening each night. The run spans 26 cities through August. EW&F completed their opening set without issue on opening night before Richie took the stage around 9:00 PM, Variety reported.
The tour's next stop was scheduled for the United Center in Chicago on June 26. As of the morning after the incident, no rescheduling plans had been announced. A spokesperson for Richie had not provided details on his condition, leaving the status of the entire tour uncertain, according to Variety.
Richie's Health and a History of Tour Disruptions
This is not the first time health issues have interrupted Richie's touring schedule. In 2017, he postponed a joint tour with Mariah Carey to recover from knee surgery complications. In August 2023, he canceled a Madison Square Garden show at the last minute, drawing sharp criticism for the timing of that announcement, according to us.headtopics.com.
At 77, Richie has not released a personal statement since Tuesday night's incident. Industry observers note that dizziness in older performers can point to a range of causes, from heat exhaustion to cardiovascular issues. Live Nation, which is promoting the tour, has yet to outline a cancellation or refund policy for ticket holders, Variety reported.
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