Lionel Richie has been hospitalised this week for heart problems, prompting his tour with Earth, Wind & Fire to cancel three upcoming shows.
The American singer needed to take some time off from performing due to ongoing heart issues.
The 'Hello' singer underwent a minimally invasive procedure to treat his irregular heartbeat. His recent shows had been interrupted by medical scares, so he is taking time off to recover.
Lionel Richie's Shows With Earth, Wind & Fire Cancelled Due to Medical Problems
Richie had been set to perform alongside Earth, Wind & Fire for the Sing a Song All Night Long Tour on 26 September, 30 September and 2 October, but all three dates were cancelled following his hospitalisation.
The 'Hello' singer had to cut a performance short during the same tour's opening night on 24 June, around 55 minutes into the 90-minute set. He was singing 'Dancing On The Ceiling' at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, when he sat down on stage and told the audience he was feeling dizzy. He then played 'Three Times A Lady' on the piano before heading backstage.
'When you're feeling dizzy, sit your ass down,' he joked.
He then took an impromptu intermission and left the band members on stage. Around 40 minutes later, his saxophonist, Dino Soldo, thanked the crowd but shared that Richie wouldn't be able to perform for the rest of the night.
Earth, Wind & Fire member John Paris noted that he didn't see any health issues with Richie beforehand and described him as feeling 'a little dehydrated'.
Richie's next two shows on the tour were postponed so he could 'rest and return to full health'. Richie resumed his concerts in Pittsburgh and Detroit and assured his fans he was 'doing well'.
'Thank you for every message, every kind word, and for all your love. ❤️ I'm doing well, and I'm grateful for all of you,' Richie shared in an Instagram post on 4 July. 'Pittsburgh and Detroit were an absolute joy. The energy, the dancing, the faces in the crowd...we made real memories together.'
Richie's Heart Operation Was Successful, but He Will Take Some Time To Recover
Lionel Richie has been hospitalised again and is being treated for atrial fibrillation, or an irregular heartbeat.
Doctors treated Richie with an AFib ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that creates tiny scars in the heart to block faulty electrical signals and help restore a normal rhythm.
Richie will take some time off from touring to recover from the procedure, adding to the health issues the singer has faced in recent months.
The 77-year-old Richie had only recently revealed that he had been diagnosed with ADHD. He noted, 'In those days, nobody talked about ADD or ADHD,' he explained. 'Aside from murmurs about 'poor Lionel' being 'too hyper' and 'too sensitive,' I never heard the more clinical terms. Ever.'
Richie also received treatment for an unknown throat condition in the 1990s, which was later diagnosed as diet-induced acid reflux. Due to the extended period in which he searched for a remedy, he opened up to People about how it took a serious toll on his mental health.
'About as close as you ever would have come to a nervous breakdown. You don't want anybody fooling around down there. This is your identity.'
'I never really thought that it would end,' he added.
Richie seemed to be in good spirits recently, however. He was spotted on 19 September at a dinner party with his girlfriend, Lisa Parigi, at Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills. The Grammy winner even gave a thumbs up and smiled for the camera during the event.
