Lionel Richie Cuts Concert Short, Hospitalized After Feeling ‘Dizzy' on Stage

Lionel Richie was taken to the hospital on June 24, after abruptly ending a concert early, moments after telling the crowd he was "feeling dizzy."

About 55 minutes into his show at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota on Wednesday night, the 77-year-old singer took a seat while performing his hit single, "Dancing on the Ceiling."

"What I have learned about my years of being in the business. When you are feeling dizzy, sit your a– down," he was seen telling the crowd in footage from the event. "When you are feeling strange about yourself, sit your a– down. Now, I want you to know, that's the first time in the history of ‘Dancing on the Ceiling' I've done it sitting down. That's a bad sign."

Because he was feeling dizzy and strange, @lionelrichie performed Dancing on the Ceiling sitting down on opening night @grandcasarenapic.twitter.com/5LYk5unI9s

— Jon Bream (@jonbream) June 25, 2026

He then performed "Three Times a Lady," before he announced an intermission. He never returned to the stage, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

About 40 minutes later, Richie's saxophonist, Dino Soldo, broke to the news to the patient audience that Richie "is not feeling well" and "won't be able to continue" with the show.

According to TMZ, paramedics met Richie backstage, and he was taken via ambulance to the hospital as a precautionary measure. There has been no update on his condition.

The June 24 show was the opening night of Richie's new Sing A Song All Night Long Tour with Earth, Wind & Fire. They have another show scheduled for Friday, June 26, in Chicago; it hasn't been canceled or postponed at this time.

Additional dates continue from June through mid-August.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 25, 2026 at 12:08 PM.