Lionel Richie has reportedly been hospitalised in intensive care after falling ill following a performance in St Louis, Missouri.
The 77-year-old singer checked himself into hospital for tests and was treated in the intensive care unit, according to TMZ. The outlet reported that Richie remained in hospital on Monday and hoped to be discharged on Tuesday, 1 September.
Richie is currently touring with his Sing a Song All Night Long tour alongside Earth, Wind & Fire. During his performance at The Muny on Saturday, 29 August, he reportedly asked his team to bring him a chair while he performed his final song.
Sources told TMZ that Richie went to hospital as a precaution, with doctors reportedly investigating whether he was dehydrated. LADbible has contacted Richie’s representatives for comment.
Lionel Richie previously cut concert short after feeling unwell
In June, Richie ended a concert early after feeling unwell on stage. During the performance, which was the first date of his ongoing tour, he told fans that he felt dizzy.
“When you’re feeling dizzy, sit your ass down,” he told the crowd before sitting at a piano and continuing with the show.
Richie later announced a short, unexpected intermission after performing at the piano. Around 40 minutes later, a member of his band returned to the stage and told fans that the concert was being cut short because Richie was unwell.
“Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well,” saxophonist Dino Soldo said, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.
“He won’t be able to continue. Additional information will be available.”
Following that performance, Richie cancelled two tour dates in Chicago and Ohio. He was well enough to return to the stage on 30 June, where he joked that he had ‘worried there for a minute’ before speaking more openly about his health.
“You have no idea what I have been through in the last 24 hours, listening to my friends tell me their advice on what I should be doing.”
Richie also shared an Instagram post on 4 July in which he told fans he was ‘doing well’ and thanked them for their support and well-wishes.
“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. “Pittsburgh and Detroit were an absolute joy. The energy, the dancing, the faces in the crowd… we made real memories together. “See you in Toronto… let’s party all night long! 🎉”
