Lionel Richie Hospitalized After Onstage Health Scare Leaves Fans Concerned

Lionel Richie was placed in a hospital intensive care unit after his weekend concert in St. Louis. The 77-year-old had just closed the show sitting in a chair, in front of a crowd that could see he was struggling.

A source close to his tour said he checked himself in out of an abundance of caution. Fans did not learn about it until two days later, and the singer has still not spoken publicly.

A Chair, Then a Hospital

Richie headlined The Muny’s annual summer finale concert on Saturday night in Forest Park. Concertgoers said he appeared to be laboring as the show neared its end.

He asked his team to bring him a chair for his closing number, ‘All Night Long.’ He sang it sitting down, then checked himself into a local hospital for tests.

TMZ, among the first to report the news, said he was placed in intensive care and that doctors were looking into possible slight dehydration. Sources with direct knowledge said he hoped to be discharged Tuesday.

Second Health Scare in Months

The hospital visit came more than two months after Richie felt dizzy onstage in Minnesota. That happened on June 24, the opening night of his tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.

He was about 55 minutes into a 90-minute set in St. Paul when he sat down. Videos shared online at the time showed him performing while seated.

He later sat at a piano to sing ‘Three Times a Lady.’ ‘When you’re feeling dizzy, sit your ass down,’ he joked to the crowd.

He then called an unplanned intermission while his band stayed onstage. About 40 minutes later, a member of the band told the crowd he would not be continuing.

Paramedics met him backstage and took him to a hospital by ambulance. A member of Earth, Wind & Fire later said Richie seemed fine beforehand and looked a little dehydrated.

Two shows were postponed after that night, one in Columbus, Ohio, and another in Chicago. An announcement at the time said doctors had advised him to rest and return to full health.

Fans Rally Around the Singer

That scare drew a wave of concern from fans online, and Richie answered it on July 4. He thanked them for every message and every kind word, and said he was doing well.

He had returned to the stage on June 30 in Pittsburgh and later played Detroit. Both nights were an absolute joy, he wrote, adding that he and the crowds made real memories together.

This time, those same fans have been left without a word. Richie has not posted about the hospital stay or said anything about how he is feeling.

Health Struggles Over the Years

This is not the first health problem of his career. In the early 1990s, he had four surgeries for an unknown condition affecting his throat.

The Grammy winner told PEOPLE in 2022 that the ordeal brought him close to a nervous breakdown. He said he did not want anyone fooling around down there because it was his identity.

He was eventually diagnosed with diet-induced acid reflux affecting the area. He has said he never really thought it would end.

What Comes Next for Richie

Richie rose to fame with the Commodores in the 1970s before going solo, and he has long been a judge on ‘American Idol.’ His hits include ‘Endless Love,’ ‘Truly’ and ‘Hello.’

The St. Louis show came during his Sing a Song All Night Long tour, which began in June. His next scheduled performance is in San Francisco on Sept. 26.

He is also expected to play the Wynn in Las Vegas in October and November for his ‘King of Hearts’ shows. For now, fans are waiting to hear from him.