Lionel Richie has postponed two concerts on his ‘Sing a Song All Night Long’ tour after experiencing dizziness during a performance in St. Paul, Minnesota, according to TMZ. The 77-year-old singer cut short the opening night of the tour and was later taken to an area hospital as a precautionary measure. The affected shows were scheduled for Friday in Chicago and Saturday in Columbus.

Health scare during performance

During the performance of his hit single ‘Dancing on the Ceiling,’ Richie sat down on stage after feeling dizzy. ‘When you’re feeling dizzy, sit your ass down,’ he reportedly told the crowd, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. A video from the concert showed Richie taking a breather during the song. He continued the show for a short time before calling a surprise ‘intermission.’ He did not return to the stage, and around 40 minutes later, the show was called off.

Sax player Dino Soldo informed the audience that Richie was not feeling well and would not be able to continue. ‘Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well,’ Soldo said. ‘He won’t be able to continue. Additional information will be available.’ According to 24horas, the 40-minute intermission left fans waiting for explanations, and it was Soldo who eventually revealed the artist’s health situation.

Postponed dates and fan communication

Richie is scheduled to return to the road in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, according to a post on Chicago’s United Center’s X account. The affected shows in Chicago and Columbus have been postponed, with no new dates yet announced. In a statement, Richie’s team said he is under advisement by doctors to rest and return to full health. ‘Lionel Richie has postponed his next two shows’ the statement read.

The official statement from Richie’s team added that the singer ‘is heartbroken’ about having to postpone the concerts and is eager to return to performing for his fans. ‘We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to fans who have tickets for these two concerts,’ the statement said. ‘New dates will be announced shortly.’

Previous health concerns and fan reaction

Hours before the incident, Richie had posted on Instagram, a move that raised questions among fans about his health status. The 77-year-old singer, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, has a history of health issues. The postponement has caused concern among his fan base, with many expressing hope for his quick recovery on social media.

Richie’s next scheduled performance remains unaffected. The Detroit concert at Little Caesars Arena is still scheduled as planned for next Wednesday. Fans are being asked to stay tuned for updates on the postponed shows. The incident highlights the challenges of performing at an advanced age, particularly when unexpected health issues arise during high-energy performances.