Lionel Richie 'heartbroken' to postpone two tour stops amid unspecified health issue

Lionel Richie volition concisely deed intermission connected his summertime circuit with Earth, Wind & Fire arsenic helium recovers from an unspecified wellness issue.

The 77-year-old Grammy-winning hitmaker of “Hello” and “Say You, Say Me” has postponed his Friday performance astatine Chicago’s United Center and different amusement Saturday astatine the Schottenstein Center successful Columbus, Ohio, the United Center announced Thursday. The vocalist is pursuing doctor’s orders “to remainder and instrumentality to afloat health” aft helium brought his archetypal circuit halt to an abrupt extremity Wednesday evening.

“Lionel is heartbroken to postpone these 2 shows and cannot hold to beryllium backmost performing for his fans,” Thursday’s announcement continued.

Richie is scheduled to resume the circuit Tuesday and deed the signifier with Earth, Wind & Fire astatine the PPG Paints Arena successful Pittsburgh, the announcement confirmed. The announcement besides said caller dates for the postponed shows volition beryllium announced soon.

Richie unexpectedly stopped the Wednesday performance astatine the Grand Casino Arena successful St. Paul, Minn., aft taking a spot connected signifier aggregate times during his show of “Dancing connected the Ceiling” and telling his assemblage helium felt “dizzy,” according to videos shared connected societal media.

“What I person learned astir my years of being successful the business, erstwhile you are feeling dizzy, beryllium your a— down,” helium joked, according to a TikTok posted Wednesday evening by idiosyncratic ynaffitmocha. “When you are feeling unusual astir yourself, beryllium your a— down.”

Moments later, saxophonist Dino Soldo informed the assemblage that the vocalist was “not feeling well” and would not proceed the concert. A typical for the vocalist did not respond to inquiries astir his condition, but TMZ reported connected Thursday the singer-songwriter was hospitalized aft the wellness scare. Paramedics reportedly met the creator backstage and transported him to a adjacent infirmary retired of precaution.

A spokesperson for the St. Paul Fire Department did not instantly respond to a petition for confirmation.

Live Nation announced “American Idol” justice Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire’s associated circuit successful January, unveiling a 26-city circuit that includes stops successful Chicago, Orlando, Fla., San Francisco and Los Angeles. Richie and the “September” radical are scheduled to play Inglewood’s Intuit Dome connected Aug. 9. The circuit ends Aug. 14 with a amusement astatine the Moody Center successful Austin, Texas.