American music legend Lionel Richie has been hospitalised following his recent concert in St. Louis, Missouri, with reports indicating that doctors are conducting further tests on the 77-year-old singer.
Richie checked himself into a local hospital after performing at The Muny in St. Louis on Saturday, August 29. A source close to his tour told Rolling Stone that the singer was doing okay and had sought medical attention as a precaution.
The latest reports, however, indicate that Richie remains in intensive care while undergoing cardiac tests. According to People, he is expected to return home on Wednesday, September 2, although no detailed medical diagnosis has been publicly announced by Richie or his representatives.
Concern about the singer’s condition emerged during Saturday’s performance when he appeared to struggle toward the end of his set. Witnesses reported that Richie requested a chair while performing his closing number, the 1983 classic “All Night Long”, and completed the song while seated.
The hospitalisation comes just over two months after another health scare during the opening night of his current tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.
Second health scare in two months
On June 24, Richie became dizzy and ended his concert in St. Paul, Minnesota, earlier than planned. Two subsequent shows were postponed after doctors advised him to rest.
He returned to the stage on June 30 and later reassured fans that he was recovering. Reports at the time attributed the episode to dehydration.
The latest incident has therefore renewed concerns about the veteran performer’s health, particularly as he continues a demanding touring schedule at 77.
Despite the latest development, Richie’s tour has not been broadly cancelled. His official website currently lists his next performance for September 26 at Chase Center in San Francisco, followed by shows in Chicago on September 30 and Columbus, Ohio, on October 2.
He is also scheduled to begin a Las Vegas residency at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas in October.
A career that continues to span generations
Lionel Richie remains one of the most influential figures in popular music, having built a career spanning more than five decades.
He first achieved international fame as a member of the Commodores before establishing himself as a solo star with hits including “Hello”, “All Night Long”, “Say You, Say Me”, “Easy” and “Three Times a Lady”.
His career has earned him multiple Grammy Awards and a place among the world’s most recognisable entertainers. In recent years, he has also remained visible to younger audiences as a judge on American Idol.
For now, attention remains focused on his condition as doctors complete their assessments.
While reports have described the hospital visit as precautionary and a source close to his tour has said he is doing okay, there has been no official confirmation of a specific heart condition or other serious diagnosis.
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