During the opening night of his co-headlining tour with Earth, Wind & Fire in Minnesota in June, the singer became unwell and ended his performance after spending about an hour on stage.
Lionel Richie has reportedly been admitted to intensive care after appearing to struggle during a recent concert performance. Photo / Getty Images
While performing his hit Dancing on the Ceiling, the 77-year-old singer was forced to pause and sit down on stage.
He managed to complete Three Times a Lady before announcing an intermission, but did not return.
Richie addressed the crowd about his condition before leaving the stage, joking; “Now, what I have learned is when you are feeling dizzy, sit your ass down. And when you are feeling strange about yourself, sit your ass down”.
He noted that it was the first time in his career he had performed Dancing on the Ceiling while seated, calling it a “bad sign”.
The singer was taken to hospital as a precaution, and his saxophonist, Dino Soldo, eventually informed the audience the show would not continue.
Richie made a successful return to the stage less than a week later in Pittsburgh. During that performance, he reassured fans, saying, “I had you worried there for a minute, huh?”.
He admitted he had ignored advice from friends to continue resting, instead choosing to perform a full set of his greatest hits to prove he was “fighting fit”.