Video circulating online showed the 77-year-old icon sitting down on stage to sing a song on the opening night of tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.

Lionel Richie reportedly hospitalized after cutting concert short amid medical incident

Video circulating online showed the 77-year-old icon sitting down on stage to sing a song on the opening night of tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.

Joey Nolfi

Joey Nolfi is a senior writer at *. *Since 2016, his work at EW includes RuPaul’s Drag Race video interviews, Oscars predictions, and more.

EW's editorial guidelines

June 25, 2026 12:07 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Lionel Richie performing on stage in Germany last year. Credit:

Marco Kost/Redferns

- Iconic singer Lionel Richie was reportedly hospitalized after cutting a concert short in Minnesota.

- The 77-year-old was seen in videos sitting down during his performance, telling the audience he felt "dizzy."

- A band member later told the crowd that Richie wouldn't be able to finish the show and thanked them for coming.

Lionel Richie was reportedly hospitalized following a medical incident on stage that forced him to cut short a Minnesota concert on the opening night of his tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.

After video circulated online Wednesday night showing the 77-year-old sitting down on stage to perform a rendition of "Dancing on the Ceiling," *Page Six* reported via local authorities that Richie was hospitalized in the St. Paul area.

An official told the outlet that they “did transport an adult male from the arena last night to a local hospital," following Richie's on-stage admission that he felt "dizzy" during the performance.

** has reached out to the St. Paul Fire Department for comment.

Richie on 'American Idol'.

Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty

In footage from the concert, Richie was seen on stage at the Grand Casino Arena, telling the crowd he felt dizzy during the performance.

The Grammy-winning *American Idol* judge and "All Night Long" singer was also shown sitting down during a rendition of "Dancing on the Ceiling," and eventually joked about it on stage.

"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!" he said into the microphone as attendees cheered.

Watch Lionel Richie perform a grief exorcism on Kelly Clarkson: 'I can save you, don't worry!'

'American Idol' alum Kellie Pickler returns to show in a rare appearance following the death of husband

He continued, joking, "Now, I want you to know, that's the first time in the history of 'Dancing on the Ceiling' I've done it sitting down. That's a bad sign, y'all."

After Richie sang another song, "Three Times a Lady," while seated behind a piano, the concert took an unexpected intermission.

A member of the band, saxophonist Dino Soldo, eventually walked out and told concertgoers that Richie wouldn't return to finish the planned performance.

Richie on stage in Grand Rapids, Mich., on May 15.

Jeff Schear/Getty

"Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well. He won't be able to continue with the show," he said. "And additional information will be available. Thank you for your patience, and your understanding."

EW has reached out to representatives for Richie for comment on the singer's condition.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

Richie's tour with Earth, Wind & Fire is set to roll out in 26 locations across North America, with the next scheduled performance slated for Friday night in Chicago.

There is no word yet on whether or not that performance will go forward amid news of Richie's reported hospitalization, and EW has additionally reached out to tour company Live Nation for more information.

- Celebrities & Creators

- Celebrity Health

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Celebrity”