Lionel Richie Undergoes Heart Procedure and Cancels Tour Dates

Lionel Richie has experienced another health setback on the road, undergoing a medical procedure for atrial fibrillation—an irregular, fast heart rhythm. The treatment has forced the 77-year-old singer and Earth, Wind & Fire to cancel three upcoming dates on their joint Sing A Song, All Night Long tour.

A representative for Richie confirmed the procedure to Billboard and People, stating, “Lionel underwent a common procedure for atrial fibrillation (AFib). The doctor said everything went perfectly. Lionel is doing great but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon.”

Affected Tour Dates

The latest cancellations impact three specific stops that were originally postponed from June after Richie became dizzy during a performance in Minnesota. The affected shows include:

September 26 in San Francisco
September 30 in Chicago
October 2 in Columbus, Ohio

There is currently no word on whether these dates will be rescheduled. A representative for the tour noted that the San Francisco show was also impacted earlier by a medical emergency suffered by a member of Earth, Wind & Fire.

Recent Health Struggles on the Road

This latest hospitalization follows a series of health-related hurdles during the singer’s current touring run. Late last month, Richie fell ill after a show in St. Louis and spent time in the intensive care unit. In June, a bout of dizziness during his performance of “Dancing on the Ceiling” led him to tell the audience, “When you’re feeling dizzy, sit your ass down,” before paramedics transported him to the hospital for observation.