Lionel Richie has postponed two upcoming concert dates after health concerns forced him to cut short the opening performance of his 2026 tour earlier this week. The 77-year-old music icon will not perform his scheduled shows in Chicago and Columbus as doctors have ordered him to rest and recover.
Live Nation Chicago and the United Center in Chicago announced the postponements through official statements posted to their Instagram accounts. The cancellations affect Friday's show in Chicago, Illinois and Saturday's performance in Columbus, Ohio.
"Under advisement by doctors to relst and return to full health, Lionel Richie has postponed his show on Friday, June 26 in Chicago, IL and Saturday, June 27 in Columbus, OH," the statement read. "He and Earth, Wind & Fire will return to the stage on Tuesday, June 30 in Pittsburgh, PA. Lionel is heartbroken to postpone these two shows and cannot wait to be back performing for his fans."
The announcement represents a significant disruption to the Sing a Song All Night Long Tour, which Richie is coheadlining with Earth, Wind & Fire. Organizers indicated that rescheduled dates will be announced in the near future and apologized to ticketholders for the inconvenience.
The postponements follow a troubling incident during the tour's opening night on Wednesday, June 24, in St. Paul, Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Richie began experiencing dizziness during the performance and was forced to end the show after performing for just under an hour.
During that Wednesday concert, the veteran performer made the unusual decision to sit down while performing his hit song "Dancing on the Ceiling," acknowledging his condition to the audience. "When you're feeling dizzy, sit your ass down," he reportedly told concertgoers, noting that he had never performed the song while seated before.
Richie continued with a seated performance of "Three Times a Lady" at a grand piano before announcing an unexpected intermission and leaving the stage. After a 40-minute wait, Richie's saxophonist Dino Soldo delivered disappointing news to the Minnesota audience.
"Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well," Soldo told the crowd, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. "He won't be able to continue. Additional information will be available."
Fans have responded to the postponement news with messages of support and concern for the singer's wellbeing. Social media comments on the official announcements expressed understanding and prioritized Richie's health over the inconvenience of rescheduled performances.
The tour is currently scheduled to resume on Tuesday, June 30, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, assuming Richie's health improves sufficiently. Ticketholders for the postponed Chicago and Columbus shows should retain their tickets, which will be honored for the rescheduled dates once they are announced.
The nature of Richie's illness has not been publicly disclosed, and representatives for the singer have not provided additional details beyond the official statements from the venues and promoters. The emphasis on doctor-ordered rest suggests a need for recovery time before the demanding schedule of a major concert tour resumes.
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Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a pop culture junkie and loves to share what's happening in Hollywood and what trends are taking the world by storm.
