Lionel Richie Undergoes Heart Procedure and Takes Time Off

Lionel Richie has postponed multiple tour dates and will take time off from performing after undergoing a medical procedure for a heart condition, according to representatives for the singer. The 77-year-old artist, known for his work with The Commodores and solo hits like Hello and All Night Long (All Night), was forced to step back from his busy concert schedule following the treatment.

According to a statement shared by his representative, Lionel underwent a common procedure for atrial fibrillation (AFib). The statement added that the doctor said everything went perfectly and that Lionel is doing great but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon. Atrial fibrillation, according to the NHS, is a condition that causes the heart to beat irregularly.

Concert Postponements and Tour Disruptions

The medical intervention has directly impacted Richie’s ongoing Sing A Song All Night Long Tour, which he is performing with Earth, Wind & Fire. Box office employees and venue statements confirmed that upcoming performances have been pushed back without immediate makeup dates set. Affected shows include a performance at the Chase Center in San Francisco, a September 30 concert at the United Center in Chicago, and an October 2 show at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.

These sudden cancellations follow a series of health-related disruptions for the musician over the summer. During a show on June 24 in St. Paul, Minnesota, Richie cut a performance short after telling fans he felt dizzy, a moment when he sat down on stage before attempting to walk off. Additionally, he checked into a St. Louis hospital after feeling weak and dehydrated following an August 29 show, and he previously postponed two summer dates due to illness.

Future Residencies and International Dates

Beyond the immediate tour adjustments, questions remain regarding Richie’s upcoming performance schedule later in the year. The singer has a residency titled King Of Hearts scheduled at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas, with performances currently booked for October 14, 16, 17, and November 11, 13, and 14, though representatives for the venue could not be immediately reached for comment on the status of those shows. Furthermore, Richie is scheduled to perform a concert in Sao Paulo in December.

Richie first rose to fame as a member of the funk-pop band The Commodores, recording hits such as Easy and Three Times A Lady before launching a solo career. As a solo artist, he has achieved eight UK top 10 singles, including a number-one hit with Hello, alongside three UK number-one albums and tracks like Dancing On The Ceiling and My Destiny. Representatives have not yet specified the exact date when the singer will resume his live performances.