Full Breakdown
Lionel Richie’s Opening Night Medical Emergency Halts ‘Sing A Song All Night Long’ Tour
6/26/2026, 8:50:38 PM
Incident
On June 24, 2026, 55 minutes into his set at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, 77-year-old Lionel Richie announced he felt “dizzy,” sat on a platform, continued seated through “Three Times a Lady,” then called an intermission. After 40 minutes, saxophonist Dino Soldo told the crowd Richie could not return, and the concert was cancelled. Paramedics met Richie backstage and escorted him to a nearby hospital.
Tour
The concert opened the “Sing A Song All Night Long” tour with Earth, Wind & Fire. The 26-city run runs from June 24 through August 14, ending in Austin, Texas, with stops in Chicago, New York and San Francisco.
Responses
Live Nation Chicago announced Richie postponed the June 26 Chicago and June 27 Columbus shows, with plans to resume on June 30 in Pittsburgh. Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris said Richie appeared a little dehydrated but showed no prior signs of illness.
Criticism
Social-media users urged older performers to consider retirement, noting recent health scares involving Rod Stewart and suggesting that artists nearing 80 “need to think about their health.”
Eyewitness
Fans posted video of Richie stopping, saying, “When you’re feeling dizzy, sit your a** down.” After the intermission, Soldo told the crowd, “Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well. He won’t be able to continue. Additional information will be available.” Audience exited as the band left the stage.
Health
John Paris cited mild dehydration as a possible cause, while other outlets simply described a dizzy spell without a diagnosis. No official medical details have been released.
Quotes
- “When you’re feeling dizzy, sit your a** down. That’s the first time in the history of ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’ I’ve done it sitting down. That’s a bad sign.” — Lionel Richie, onstage
- “Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well. He won’t be able to continue. Additional information will be available.” — Dino Soldo, saxophonist
- “He’s a little dehydrated.” — John Paris, drummer, Earth, Wind & Fire
- “Under advisement by doctors to rest and return to full health, Lionel Richie has postponed his next two shows on Friday, June 26 in Chicago, IL and Saturday, June 27 in Columbus, OH. He and Earth, Wind & Fire will return on Tuesday, June 30 in Pittsburgh, PA. Lionel is heartbroken to postpone these two shows and cannot wait to be back performing for his fans.” — Live Nation Chicago statement
Future
The Chicago (June 26) and Columbus (June 27) concerts are postponed; new dates will be announced. The tour is scheduled to resume in Pittsburgh on June 30, pending Richie’s clearance to travel and perform.
