Three upcoming shows on Lionel Richie’s tour with Earth, Wind and Fire have been cancelled after a heart procedure for atrial fibrillation
Lionel Richie has cancelled three tour dates(Image: Scott Legato, Getty Images)
Lionel Richie has been compelled to scrap further tour dates after undergoing a heart procedure following yet another hospital stay.
The All Night Long hitmaker, 77, is recuperating after receiving treatment for atrial fibrillation, a condition that results in an irregular heartbeat. Three forthcoming shows on his demanding tour with Earth, Wind and Fire have now been cancelled, with the health scare marking his third hospital admission for heart-related issues in fewer than three months, The Mirror reports.
“Lionel underwent a common procedure for Atrial fibrillation. The doctor said everything went perfectly”, a representative for the singer said, adding, “Lionel is doing great but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon.”
Lionel Richie(Image: Getty Images for The Everglades Foundation)
The Dancing on the Ceiling star was rushed to an intensive care unit during a live performance in St. Louis, USA, last month. He informed the audience that he was feeling “dizzy” during a rendition of All Night Long, before signalling for a stool to be brought on stage and continuing the show seated.
Richie subsequently admitted himself to hospital as a precaution, undergoing a series of medical assessments. Certain sources indicated he was briefly monitored in intensive care, while medical staff investigated severe dehydration.
A prior health scare emerged just two months before, on the opening night of his Sing Along All Night Long tour with Earth, Wind and Fire in June, when he was rushed to hospital. The concert was cut short just an hour in during a performance of Dancing on the Ceiling.
“When you’re feeling dizzy, sit your ass down”, he told fans before perching on the stairs. He then announced an unscheduled interval but was unable to carry on, with his saxophonist, Dino Soldo, informing the audience that the show was being abandoned.
A visit to a nearby hospital for further assessments followed, and subsequent tour dates were rearranged to give the singer time to recover. A source revealed in June that Richie had been intent on delivering fans the full show they had paid for because he “hates disappointing people”.
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They told the Mail: “Family, friends, and even his bandmates are definitely concerned about Lionel’s health, but nobody is about to tell him to slow down. They all want him better and to do what he loves to do.
“Right now, Lionel is actually more upset that fans didn’t get the full show they paid for than he is about himself and his health. That’s where his head is. He hates disappointing people and feels terrible that the concert couldn’t continue as planned.”
