Lionel Richie Hospitalized Again After Health Scare During Tour

BY Erika Marie
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Feb 11, 2007; Los Angeles, CA, USA;  Lionel Richie performs at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center. Mandatory
Feb 11, 2007; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Lionel Richie performs at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY NETWORK USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Another onstage health issue has Lionel Richie undergoing tests after he was admitted to an ICU following his St. Louis performance.

Another health issue during Lionel Richie’s current tour has put the 77-year-old singer back in the hospital, just over two months after dizziness forced him to end a performance early. Richie was admitted to an intensive care unit in St. Louis after his Aug. 29 concert at The Muny, according to TMZ and PEOPLE. Sources told TMZ that Richie went to the hospital to undergo testing as a precaution and that doctors were looking into possible mild dehydration. He was reportedly hoping to be discharged Tuesday. Richie’s representatives have not publicly announced a diagnosis or provided their own update on his condition.

Concertgoers noticed signs that Richie was struggling near the end of Saturday’s show. During “All Night Long,” the final song of the night, he asked his team to bring him a chair so he could finish the performance seated.

Rumored Warning Signs Of Health Issues

The hospitalization follows a similar episode during the June 24 opening night of his Sing a Song All Night Long Tour with Earth, Wind & Fire. Richie told the St. Paul crowd he felt dizzy while performing “Dancing on the Ceiling” and eventually left the stage before completing his set. Paramedics met him backstage, and he was taken to a hospital as a precaution.

Doctors advised Richie to rest afterward, prompting the postponement of shows in Chicago and Columbus. He returned to the stage June 30 in Pittsburgh and later told fans on Instagram that he was doing well. Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris also said at the time that Richie had appeared healthy before the St. Paul performance and believed he had been slightly dehydrated.

No changes to Richie’s remaining schedule have been announced in connection with the St. Louis hospitalization. His next listed performance with Earth, Wind & Fire is Sept. 26 at San Francisco’s Chase Center.

Read More: Lionel Richie Disapproves Of Kanye West's "All Day" Performance

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming the Co-Head of Original Content. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, and Amy Luciani—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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