AARP Hearing Center
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
Lionel Richie, 77, Postpones Shows After Dizzy Spell Onstage
The singer cut short opening night with Earth, Wind & Fire and postponed two shows
Lionel Richie, who appeared on “American Idol” in March, postponed two concerts after feeling dizzy onstage on June 24, 2026, the opening night of his tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.
Eric McCandless/Disney/Getty Images
Key takeaways
- Lionel Richie stopped his June 24 concert in St. Paul, Minnesota, after telling the crowd he felt dizzy.
- Shows scheduled for June 26 in Chicago and June 27 in Columbus, Ohio, were postponed on doctors’ advice.
- The four-time Grammy winner is scheduled to resume the tour June 30 in Pittsburgh.
Lionel Richie postponed two concerts after feeling dizzy onstage during the opening night of his joint tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.
“Under advisement by doctors to rest and return to full health, Lionel Richie has postponed his next two shows,” concert promoter Live Nation Chicago posted on Instagram. “Lionel is heartbroken to postpone these two shows and cannot wait to be back performing for his fans. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes fans who have tickets for these two shows. Rescheduled dates will be announced soon.”
More Ways to Benefit
- Related Benefit 1
- Related Benefit 2
- Related Benefit 3
- Related Benefit 4
- Related Benefit 5
Richie’s next two shows, scheduled for Friday, June 26, at the United Center in Chicago and Saturday, June 27, at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, were postponed, per Live Nation.
Richie, 77, was performing “Dancing on the Ceiling” on Wednesday, June 24, at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, when he sat down onstage, stood up, walked a few feet and sat down again while continuing to sing, NBC News reported.
He then addressed the crowd directly. “When you are feeling dizzy, sit yo a-- down,” Richie said, according to NBC News. “And when you are feeling strange about yourself, sit yo a-- down. Now, I want you to know that’s the first time in the history of ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’ I’ve done it sitting down. That’s a bad sign, that’s a bad sign, y’all.”
Richie continued briefly, performing “Three Times a Lady” at the piano, then left the stage for what became an extended intermission. About 40 minutes later, saxophonist Dino Soldo thanked the audience for its patience and said Richie was feeling unwell and could not continue.
The concert, scheduled for 90 minutes, ended about 55 minutes into Richie’s set. Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris later told the Star Tribune that Richie had shown no signs of illness before the show and said he was “a little dehydrated,” according to People.
Richie, who turned 77 on June 20, shared a celebratory clip on Instagram on June 24, with a nod to the tour’s opening night. “A perfect way to start the tour!! Feeling grateful!! See you tonight, Saint Paul, MN.” he wrote.
The tour is slated to resume on Tuesday, June 30, in Pittsburgh. Richie had posted rehearsal and sound check photos to Instagram hours before the St. Paul show, writing, “Opening night. Rehearsals. Sound check. Showtime tonight. Saint Paul, you’re up!!!”
Dizziness and balance problems can have many causes, especially after 50. Dr. Orly Avitzur, a neurologist, wrote in AARP that balance difficulties are a common reason adults seek neurological care. Causes can include medication side effects, dehydration, blood pressure changes, inner-ear problems, nerve conditions and other disorders. Richie has not publicly linked his onstage dizziness to any specific condition.
Richie rose to fame in the 1970s with the Commodores: He wrote and sang hits including “Easy” and “Three Times a Lady,” then became a solo star with “All Night Long,” “Hello,” “Say You, Say Me” and “Dancing on the Ceiling.” He has won four Grammys and received 33 nominations.
More From AARP
Daryl Hall Shares Transplant Update
The Hall & Oates singer says his doctors called the surgery a success
Madonna, 67, on Her Bad Knee and New Workouts
The singer says decades of dancing changed how she trains
Rock Vocalist David Clayton-Thomas Dies
He was the frontman for Blood, Sweat & Tears for many years