Lionel Richie, 77, was hospitalized in St. Louis on Saturday night after a performance at The Muny in Forest Park, where he reportedly required a chair to sit during his final song. Richie checked himself into a local hospital and was treated in the intensive care unit, according to multiple reports citing TMZ. His representative declined to comment on the reason for hospitalization or his prognosis, but Richie is described as stable and doing well.
The singer, who has a residency in Las Vegas scheduled for October and November, was previously hospitalized in June after ending a show in St. Paul, Minnesota, early due to illness. During that performance, he also appeared to struggle, prompting concerns among fans. Witnesses at the St. Louis concert reported Richie seemed to be having difficulty toward the end of the show, with videos showing him sitting during his closing performance of “All Night Long.”
Hospitalization Details and Timeline
Richie was admitted to a St. Louis hospital on Saturday night, with sources close to the situation telling TMZ that he checked himself in out of an abundance of caution. Doctors were examining the possibility that he was suffering from dehydration, though no official diagnosis has been confirmed. As of Monday afternoon, Richie remained hospitalized but was expected to be discharged on Tuesday, according to reports. His representative has not responded to requests for comment.
Recent Health Concerns and Tour Status
The St. Louis hospitalization follows two prior health-related incidents in June. During a concert in St. Paul, Richie ended his performance early and was later hospitalized. He subsequently postponed several tour dates with Earth, Wind & Fire, stating he was “heartbroken to postpone these two shows and cannot wait to be back performing for his fans.” Videos from recent performances have shown him occasionally needing to sit to finish songs like “Dancing on the Ceiling.”
Richie’s upcoming schedule includes a residency at the Wynn in Las Vegas, with shows planned for October and November. The singer recently discussed his memoir “Truly” at the L.A. Times Festival of Books, though no updates on his health have been provided since the St. Louis incident.