US singer Lionel Richie was admitted to an intensive care unit in St. Louis following a medical issue that forced him to halt a live concert, according to local media reports and entertainment outlets. The 77-year-old music icon checked himself into the hospital after failing to finish his Aug. 29 performance at The Muny in Forest Park, as reported by TMZ.
Hospitalization Follows St. Louis Concert Medical Scare
Richie was performing his summer-finale show at the outdoor theater when fans noticed he was struggling toward the end of the set. According to the St. Louis American, the artist remained on his feet through virtually the entire show before asking his team to bring him a chair so he could finish his final song, “All Night Long.” Witnesses cited by TMZ confirmed that Richie sat down during the finale rather than walking off stage or cutting the music short.
Sources with direct knowledge told TMZ that physicians admitted Richie to the intensive care unit to run tests, with doctors looking into possible slight dehydration. According to Rolling Stone, a source close to his ongoing tour stated that Richie is “OK,” while the Los Angeles Times reported that a representative declined to comment on the reason for his hospitalization or his prognosis.
Tour Precedents and Earlier Health Interruptions
This medical hospitalization follows a prior health scare earlier in the summer. On June 24, Richie was forced to end the opening night of his Sing a Song All Night Long tour with Earth, Wind & Fire at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, approximately 55 minutes into the set. According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Richie told the crowd he felt dizzy, performed “Dancing on the Ceiling” while sitting on a stage step, and moved to the piano for “Three Times a Lady” before announcing an unexpected intermission from which he did not return.
Did you know? During his St. Louis concert, Richie addressed his June health scare directly, telling the audience that he returned to his doctor afterward and was told, “You are suffering from dehydration,” while drinking an electrolyte beverage onstage.
Following the Minnesota incident, paramedics met Richie backstage and took him to a hospital by ambulance, according to TMZ reporting. Doctors advised him to rest, which led to the postponement of his June 26 concert in Chicago and his June 27 show in Columbus. He returned to the stage on June 30 in Pittsburgh and performed in Detroit before telling fans in a July 4 Instagram post that he was doing well.
Upcoming Schedule and Tour Status
Despite the recent ICU admission and tests, Richie’s official tour calendar continues to list a Sept. 26 performance with Earth, Wind & Fire at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The San Francisco venue also lists the show for 7:30 p.m. that Saturday, a date that had already been rescheduled prior to the St. Louis hospitalization. Meanwhile, the postponed Chicago and Columbus concerts are currently listed for Sept. 30 and Oct. 2, according to tour tracking data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Lionel Richie hospitalized in St. Louis?
Richie checked himself into a St. Louis hospital after his Aug. 29 concert at The Muny and was admitted to the ICU for tests. Sources told TMZ that doctors were looking into possible slight dehydration.
What happened during Richie’s St. Louis concert?
According to the St. Louis American and fan witnesses, Richie performed almost the entire show on his feet before asking his team to bring him a chair so he could finish his final song, “All Night Long,” while seated.
What was Richie’s earlier health issue on tour?
On June 24 in St. Paul, Minnesota, Richie cut his opening tour performance short after telling the crowd he felt dizzy. Doctors subsequently advised him to rest, resulting in postponed shows in Chicago and Columbus.
When is Lionel Richie’s next scheduled concert?
As of Sept. 1, Richie’s official tour schedule lists a Sept. 26 date with Earth, Wind & Fire at the Chase Center in San Francisco, alongside rescheduled dates in late September and October.
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