Lionel Richie ends St. Paul concert early after falling ill on stage

Lionel Richie ends St. Paul concert early after falling ill on stage

Lionel Richie cut short the opening night of his 2026 Sing Along All Night Long tour on June 24 after falling ill during a performance at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota. The 77-year-old singer exited the stage approximately 55 minutes into a show scheduled to last 90 minutes.

The disruption occurred during a performance of the upbeat track Dancing on the Ceiling. According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Richie suddenly took a seat on a platform and informed the audience that he was feeling dizzy. He joked about the unusual sight, stating,

"When you're feeling dizzy, sit your ass down."

Richie added that he had never performed the number while seated.

Despite the dizziness, Richie continued by segueing into a seated piano performance of the ballad Three Times a Lady. He then announced an intermission and left the stage. His band members remained on stage for about 15 minutes before they also exited.

The audience waited approximately 40 minutes for an update. Saxophonist Dino Soldo eventually reappeared to announce the cancellation of the remainder of the event.

"Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well. He won't be able to continue. Additional information will be available."

TMZ reported that Richie was transported from the venue to a hospital via ambulance, though the outlet noted this was a precautionary measure. While Richie has not commented on the incident, Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris told the Minnesota Star Tribune that Richie was a little dehydrated. Paris stated there were no indications before the show that the singer was feeling unwell.

The Minnesota Star Tribune noted that Richie was wearing a leather jacket and leather pants and was noticeably sweating during his time on stage.

The health scare followed an upbeat lead-up to the tour kickoff. On June 22, Richie used social media to thank his crew for their hard work. He also posted a carousel of images on Instagram earlier Thursday with the caption: Rehearsals. Sound check. Showtime tonight. Saint Paul, you’re up!!!

This performance marked the start of a 26-show run with Earth, Wind & Fire. Previous versions of the tour took place in 2023 and 2024 across the U.S. And Canada. The upcoming itinerary includes major cities such as Toronto, Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, with the tour scheduled to conclude on Aug. 14 in Austin, Texas.

The incident occurs as other veteran performers have faced similar struggles. On June 19, Rod Stewart reportedly nearly fainted during a concert in Utah, where crew members provided an oxygen mask and tank on stage.

Richie is currently slated to return to the stage on Friday, June 26, at the United Center in Chicago, followed by a performance in Columbus, Ohio, the following day. However, the status of the Chicago show remains unclear as representatives for the singer have not provided an official update on his condition.