Lionel Richie performs Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, astatine the iHeartRadio Music Festival astatine T-Mobile Arena. Photo by: John Locher / AP
From Staff and Wire Reports
Thursday, June 25, 2026 | 10:30 a.m.
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and longtime Las Vegas headliner Lionel Richie chopped abbreviated a performance Wednesday nighttime successful St. Paul aft telling fans helium was feeling unwell.
Richie, who astir precocious performed his “King of Hearts” residency astatine the Encore Theater astatine Wynn Las Vegas successful October 2025, announced an unexpected intermission astir 55 minutes into his acceptable astatine Grand Casino Arena.
Moments earlier, the 77-year-old told the assemblage of astir 10,000 that helium felt dizzy and “strange,” explaining wherefore helium had performed his upbeat deed “Dancing connected the Ceiling” portion seated connected a signifier step.
“When you’re feeling dizzy, beryllium your ass down,” Richie said, noting helium had ne'er performed the opus sitting.
He past moved to a expansive soft for “Three Times a Lady” earlier declaring a astonishment “intermission” and exiting done a elephantine surface displaying his name.
His 5 set members remained onstage for astir 15 minutes earlier leaving without mentation arsenic low-volume recorded euphony played. With nary contiguous announcement, immoderate concertgoers began to depart.
About 40 minutes later, saxophonist Dino Soldo returned to the signifier and addressed the crowd.
“Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well,” Soldo said. “He won’t beryllium capable to continue. Additional accusation volition beryllium available.”
Richie had been expected to execute a 90-minute acceptable arsenic portion of the “Sing a Song All Night Long” circuit with Earth, Wind & Fire. The 2 acts antecedently toured together, including a St. Paul halt successful 2023.
During Wednesday’s performance, Richie’s dependable appeared little dependable than astatine his erstwhile Twin Cities appearance, and helium often leaned connected the assemblage to sing choruses. He was besides visibly sweating and repeatedly toweling off.
Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris told the Minnesota Star Tribune determination were nary preshow signs of concern.
“He’s a small dehydrated,” Paris said, adding helium did not cognize Richie’s authoritative condition.
The circuit is scheduled to proceed Friday successful Chicago.
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