Hospitalization After St. Louis Show
Lionel Richie has been admitted to the intensive care unit of a St. Louis hospital following his Saturday night performance at The Muny in Forest Park, as reported by TMZ and cited by multiple outlets. The 77-year-old singer checked himself into the ICU as a precaution after the concert, according to reports.
Sources familiar with the matter told TMZ that Richie is undergoing tests for possible slight dehydration. He is taking a cautious approach and hopes to be discharged on Tuesday, according to those sources.
On-Stage Concerns During Finale
During the St. Louis show, witnesses reported that Richie appeared to be struggling during the finale. While performing "All Night Long," his final song of the night, he asked his team to bring him a chair so he could sit down to complete the set, according to TMZ. LBC also reported that his team brought a chair on stage after he appeared to be struggling.
The hospitalization comes as Richie is touring with Earth, Wind & Fire on the "Sing a Song All Night Long" tour. His next scheduled performance is in San Francisco on September 26.
Recent Health Scares
This hospitalization marks the second health scare for Richie in recent months. On June 24, during the opening night of his tour in St. Paul, Minnesota, Richie was forced to cut his concert short after becoming unwell on stage. According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Richie told the crowd he was feeling dizzy, joking, "When you're feeling dizzy, sit your ass down," before sitting at the piano to perform "Three Times a Lady" and later taking an unexpected intermission.
Following that incident, Richie postponed two concerts after doctors advised him to "rest and return to full health." He returned to the stage on June 30, joking to the crowd that he "had you worried there for a minute." Days later, on July 4, Richie shared an Instagram post reassuring fans that he was recovering and "doing well."