Overview
- During the opening-night show at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Lionel Richie felt dizzy about 55 minutes into the set while singing 'Dancing on the Ceiling', sat onstage and then left the concert after attempting an acoustic piano song.
- Band members announced the show would not continue after roughly 40 minutes of waiting and the saxophonist Dino Soldo told the audience Richie was not well and could not return.
- Reports say paramedics attended backstage and TMZ reported an ambulance transported Richie to a hospital as a precaution, while Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris and Richie’s team described the episode as dehydration rather than a chronic condition.
- Richie’s team issued an official statement ordering medical rest and postponed the next two scheduled dates in Chicago and Columbus on doctor’s advice with a planned tour restart on Tuesday, June 30 in Pittsburgh.
- Videos from attendees circulated widely on social media and reactions ranged from concern to appreciation, and fans should watch for official medical updates because the brief hiatus could affect other dates on the 26-show North American tour.