Lionel Richie checked himself into a St. Louis hospital's intensive care unit following his Saturday, August 29, performance at The Muny in Forest Park, Missouri, according to multiple reports, including TMZ, which first broke the story Monday.
What Happened Onstage
The 77-year-old singer headlined The Muny's annual summer season finale concert Saturday night. According to witnesses cited by TMZ, Richie appeared to struggle toward the end of the show and asked his crew to bring him a chair while performing the concert's final song, "All Night Long," so he could sit down while finishing the performance.
Why He Went to the Hospital
A source close to Richie's touring staff told ABC News he checked himself in "out of an abundance of caution." Sources with direct knowledge told TMZ that doctors were investigating possible dehydration, and that Richie was hoping to be released on Tuesday, September 1.
A Second Health Scare This Tour
This marks the second time Richie has been hospitalized during his current Sing a Song All Night Long Tour with Earth, Wind & Fire. During the tour's June 24 opening night in St. Paul, Minnesota, Richie told the audience he was feeling dizzy and "strange," performing "Dancing on the Ceiling" while seated before leaving the stage after about 55 minutes and not returning. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance after paramedics met him backstage. That episode led to the postponement of his next two scheduled concerts, in Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, on doctors' advice that he rest and fully recover.
Richie Addressed the Pattern Directly Onstage
During Saturday's performance at The Muny, Richie referenced the earlier hospitalization while speaking to the crowd, telling the audience: "Some things have been happening on this tour that kind of shook me up a little bit, because I couldn't figure out what the hell was going on."
What This Means for Upcoming Shows
Richie's next scheduled performance remains the September 26 concert with Earth, Wind & Fire at San Francisco's Chase Center, according to both the arena and Richie's official website. As of Monday, neither had announced any change to that show. Notably, the San Francisco concert has already been postponed once due to a separate medical emergency earlier in the tour, adding further uncertainty about whether the rescheduled date will proceed as planned given the ongoing health concerns.
A Decades-Spanning Career
Richie, a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter, has remained a fixture in popular music for more than five decades, in addition to his current role as a judge on American Idol. His current tour pairs him with fellow legacy act Earth, Wind & Fire, playing a mix of intimate piano moments alongside the high-energy hits that have defined his career.
What's Next
With Richie reportedly hoping to be discharged Tuesday and his next confirmed show still three-plus weeks away in San Francisco, fans and tour organizers are likely watching closely for any further updates on his condition or potential schedule changes. For continuing coverage, see the original TMZ report.