Lionel Richie and his tour with Earth, Wind & Fire hit yet another health-related roadblock this week. The All Night Long singer-songwriter was hospitalised to receive treatment for an irregular heartbeat.
A representative for the prolific Grammy winner and American Idol judge confirmed to The LA Times on Sept 22 that Richie “underwent a common procedure for Atrial fibrillation (AFib).” The Mayo Clinic describes the heart condition as an irregular and often “very rapid heart rhythm” that can lead to blood clots in the heart.
The 77-year-old singer underwent the procedure three months after he first brought the tour to a pause after he felt “ dizzy” mid-performance.
“The doctor said everything went perfectly,” Richie’s representative added. “Lionel is doing great but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon.”
TMZ broke the news on Richie’s latest health scare and reported that the singer and Earth, Wind & Fire have cancelled their upcoming three shows – in San Francisco, Chicago and Columbus, Ohio – as a result. His Las Vegas residency at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas is expected to proceed as planned, starting Oct 14.
Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire’s joint Sing a Song All Night Long tour kicked off in mid-June, but has since been stop-and-go in nature due to some of its performers’ health issues.
After Richie’s first unspecified health scare on tour earlier this summer, he postponed a pair of shows in Chicago and Columbus. Earth, Wind & Fire called off a concert in early August citing “a medical emergency involving a member of our band.”
Richie was hospitalised for the second time this summer after performing at St Louis’ Muny in Forest Park in late August. The singer’s Las Vegas residency is split across two months and six shows: three shows Oct 14, 16 and 17 and the remaining three on Nov 11,13 and 14. – Los Angeles Times/Tribune News Service
