Lionel Richie taken to hospital after falling ill mid-concert

Lionel Richie taken to hospital after falling ill mid-concert

Lionel Richie was transported to a hospital after falling ill during a performance in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Wednesday. The 77-year-old singer abruptly ended the concert at the Grand Casino Arena after experiencing a dizzy spell onstage.

The event served as the opening night of the 26-city North American Sing a Song All Night Long tour, co-headlined with Earth, Wind & Fire. While the first half of the evening featured Earth, Wind & Fire, Richie took the stage for what was intended to be the second half of the show.

According to videos shared by fans and a report from journalist Patrick Kessler on X, Richie appeared unsteady while walking across the stage during "Dancing on the Ceiling." He stopped to sit on the edge of a large stepped platform and later sat on risers on the opposite side of the stage. Despite the dizzy spells, observers noted he continued singing without relying on guide vocals.

Richie addressed the audience regarding his condition, stating:

"Now, what I have learned about my years of being in the business: when you are feeling dizzy, sit your ass down. And when you are feeling strange about yourself, sit your ass down."

Lionel Richie, via yahoo.com

He added to laughter and cheers from the crowd that performing "Dancing on the Ceiling" while sitting down was a first in the song's history, remarking, That’s a bad sign! That’s a bad sign, y’all.

Following a performance of "Three Times a Lady" from his piano, Richie announced an unusual intermission and walked backstage. His band remained on stage for approximately 15 minutes before they also departed. Roughly 40 minutes after the intermission began, saxophonist Dino Soldo returned to inform the audience that Richie would not be able to continue because he was not feeling well.

Following the performance, Jamie Smith, a PIO for the Saint Paul Fire Department, confirmed to Page Six that an adult male was transported from the arena to a local hospital. Sources close to the star told TMZ that paramedics met Richie backstage and that the hospital trip was a precautionary measure. John Paris, a drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire, told the Minnesota Star Tribune that Richie was a little dehydrated and noted he had seen no prior indication of health issues before the show.

The incident comes shortly after Richie celebrated his birthday on June 20. Prior to the St. Paul show, he posted an Instagram carousel of rehearsals and sound checks, thanking his crew for surprising him with pie and ice cream.

Richie has a history of significant health challenges. He previously discussed a severe vocal cord injury in the Nineties that required four surgeries over four years, a period he described to People in 2022 as the closest he ever came to a nervous breakdown. He later recovered following a diagnosis of diet-induced acid reflux.

Fans expressed concern on TikTok, with some urging the singer to rest and calling him one of the last remaining legends. One attendee told the Minnesota Star Tribune they were super bummed by the abrupt end to the show, as it was their first time seeing the performer.

The tour's next scheduled stop is Friday, June 26, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago. As of the most recent reports, there have been no official cancellation announcements, and the status of the Chicago show remains unclear.