ST. LOUIS — Richie performed at The Muny in St. Louis on Saturday. He asked his team to bring him a chair so he could sit during his final song, "All Night Long," at the concert.

Richie addressed the health issues directly with the audience in St. Louis. "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," he said. He explained that medical professionals identified the cause of his symptoms. "I went back to the doctor, and he said, ‘You are suffering from dehydration,'" he said.

Looking ahead, Richie is scheduled to perform rescheduled shows in San Francisco, Chicago, and Columbus in September and early October. He is also scheduled to perform a residency at the Wynn in Las Vegas in October and November.

Why It Matters

Lionel Richie was hospitalized in the intensive care unit of a St. Louis hospital after performing over the weekend. The confirmation of dehydration by Barnes-Jewish Hospital provides a medical explanation for the symptoms that caused the singer to cut a performance short and seek testing. These events highlight the physical demands placed on performers during extensive touring schedules.

The pattern of health interruptions, ranging from dizziness in Minnesota to dehydration in Missouri, has required schedule adjustments including postponed shows and rescheduled dates. The upcoming residency in Las Vegas and remaining tour dates proceed as planned following these medical interventions.

Timeline

Lionel Richie postponed two shows in June after cutting a performance short in St. Paul, Minnesota, due to dizziness. Lionel Richie told the crowd in St. Paul, "When you’re feeling dizzy, sit your ass down." Lionel Richie returned to the stage on June 30 for a performance with Earth, Wind & Fire in Pittsburgh. Lionel Richie posted on Instagram in July: "Thank you for every message, every kind word, and for all your love. I'm doing well, and I'm grateful for all of you."

What's New

Lionel Richie asked his team to bring him a chair so he could sit during his final song, "All Night Long," at the St. Louis concert. He told the St. Louis audience, "I went back to the doctor, and he said, ‘You are suffering from dehydration.'" Doctors at St. Louis’ Barnes-Jewish Hospital confirmed that they treated Lionel Richie for mild dehydration following his August 29 performance, as reported in a hospital press release.

He told the St. Louis 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." He told the St. Louis audience, "I’m telling you, this stuff is nasty — but it works." He told the St. Louis audience, "That’s all you gotta remember — just drink your electrolytes and you too can be like me."

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on the specifics of Lionel Richie's hospitalization. Multiple sources state that Lionel Richie, age 77, checked himself into a hospital for tests after a performance in St. Louis on Saturday. Another source reports that Lionel Richie was hospitalized in the intensive care unit of a St. Louis hospital after performing over the weekend.