Lionel Richie hospitalised again for a heart procedure, cancels 3 shows
By Katemarthason Okudo, September 23, 2026American singer Lionel Richie has undergone a heart procedure and cancelled three upcoming shows on his Sing a Song All Night Long tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.
The 77-year-old singer, who also serves as a judge on American Idol, underwent a routine procedure for atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that affects the heart’s rhythm.
Richie’s representative confirmed the update on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, saying the procedure went well and that the singer was now taking time to recover.
“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,” the representative said.
Three shows cancelled
Although Richie is recovering as expected, his upcoming performances with Earth, Wind & Fire have been cancelled. The affected shows were scheduled for September 26 in San Francisco, September 30, 2026, in Chicago and October 2, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
The cancellations come as Richie takes time away from performing to recover from the procedure. The singer has been on tour since June, performing alongside Earth, Wind & Fire as part of their joint tour.
Richie was previously hospitalised for dehydration
The latest health update comes only weeks after Richie was admitted to hospital following a show in St Louis in August. At the time, the singer told his audience that he had been experiencing health problems during the tour and had gone to see a doctor after becoming concerned about what was happening.
“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,” Richie told the audience.
He later said his doctor had identified dehydration as the cause of his symptoms. “I went back to the doctor, and he said, ‘You are suffering from dehydration,’” he recalled.
Richie also used the moment to joke about the electrolyte drink he was holding while speaking to the crowd. “I’m telling you, this stuff is nasty, but it works,” the Grammy winner joked.
Singer has put health first
Richie has previously said that making changes to his touring schedule is part of taking care of his health. In July, the singer explained that slowing down during performances and cancelling shows when necessary was not a sign that he was giving up on performing.
Instead, he said the decisions were part of making sure he could continue performing while looking after his health. The latest procedure comes after Richie was seen with his partner Lisa Parigi at a party at Mr Chow in Beverly Hills, California, on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Richie is expected to take some time away from the stage as he recovers before returning to his performances.