Lionel Richie has raised concerns among his fans after being forced to cancel his last concert with half an hour left in the set due to health problems. The singer claimed to feel “dizzy” and had to sit on the steps of the stage before leaving it indefinitely.
It was the first concert of his tour with Eart, Wind & Fire, which took place in St. Paul, Minnesota. 55 minutes into the set, during the performance of ‘Dancing On The Ceiling’, Richie took a seat on the stairs of the stage, while reporting that he had never sung the song sitting down.
Before moving on to the piano for ‘Three Times A Lady’, the last song played of the night, Richie left a joke to the audience: “When you feel dizzy, sit your ass down,” he joked. It didn’t take long for Richie to leave the stage, which the audience thought was an intermission. The band stayed playing for 15 minutes until they too left.
About 40 minutes later, the singer’s saxophonist thanked the audience for their patience and ended the concert: “Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well and will not be able to continue,” he reported. Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris told the Minnesota Star Tribune that Richie didn’t show any signs of illness before the set and said he was just “a little dehydrated.”
BREAKING: Lionel Ritchie concert in St Paul at Grand Casino Arena canceled mid-show. Ritchie sat down on stage during “Dancing on the Ceiling,” said he felt dizzy. Performed one more song on piano, “Three Times a Lady,” then announced unplanned intermission. Did not return. pic.twitter.com/RNalkYHnmG
— Patrick Kessler (@PatKessler) June 25, 2026
77-year-old Lionel Richie had to cut his performance in St. Paul, Minnesota, short last night after falling ill! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/aCJzVpc8UH
— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) June 25, 2026
