Lionel Richie has postponed two upcoming concerts after suffering a health scare that forced him to cut short a performance and seek medical treatment. The music icon was hospitalized after feeling unwell during his Wednesday night concert at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, while performing on his joint tour with Earth, Wind & Fire. According to an announcement from Chicago’s United Center, Richie has been advised by doctors to temporarily step away from performing so he can “rest and return to full health.”
As a result, his scheduled shows on Friday in Chicago, Illinois, and Saturday in Columbus, Ohio, have been postponed. Replacement dates have not yet been announced.
The venue shared that Richie is “heartbroken to postpone these two shows” but is eager to return to the stage as soon as possible.
The singer is still expected to resume the tour on Tuesday with a performance in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, if his recovery continues as planned.
The health scare unfolded during the opening night of the tour when Richie suddenly told the audience he was feeling “dizzy” and “strange.” He finished part of the show while seated before medical personnel escorted him for further evaluation at a nearby hospital.
Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris later told the Minnesota Star Tribune that Richie appeared to be suffering from dehydration, though no additional details about his condition have been released.
Neither Richie nor his representatives have disclosed the exact cause of the medical episode, but fans have been reassured that doctors expect him to make a full recovery after taking time to rest.
The current tour features 26 scheduled dates across North America and is set to conclude on August 14 in Austin, Texas. Fans holding tickets for the postponed Chicago and Columbus concerts have been advised to keep them until replacement dates are announced.