Lionel Richie Undergoes Heart Procedure, Cancels 3 Shows Amid Health Struggles

After Lionel Richie was admitted to the hospital to undergo a heart procedure, the American Idol judge canceled three shows part of his and Earth, Wind and Fire’s Sing a Song All Night Long tour.

Lionel Richie is on the mend.

The “Stuck on You” singer is stuck in recovery after recently undergoing a routine heart procedure, leading the 77-year-old to bow out of his upcoming shows with Earth, Wind and Fire.

“Lionel underwent a common procedure for Atrial fibrillation (AFib),” Richie’s rep said in a statement to E! News Sept. 22. “The doctor said everything went perfectly. Lionel is doing great but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon.”

While Richie’s recovery is going as planned, his upcoming concerts with Earth, Wind and Fire previously set for Sept. 26 in San Francisco, Sept. 30 in Chicago and Oct. 2 in Columbus, Ohio have been canceled.

This health update comes just days after the “Endless Love” singer stepped out alongside partner Lisa Parigi for a party at Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills, Calif. Sept. 20.

And though Richie has been touring since June, he has made it a point to prioritize his health in the last few months, previously checking himself into the hospital in August following a show in St. Louis.

During the aforementioned show, Richie was candid about his health concerns with his 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,” Richie told the audience at the time. “I went back to the doctor, and he said, ‘You are suffering from dehydration.’”

Proudly holding up a red electrolyte drink, the Grammy winner joked, “I’m telling you, this stuff is nasty—but it works.

In July, Richie also assured that slowing down on stage—and even canceling shows—was a signal he was looking after his health, not neglecting it.

David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via Getty Images

“What I have learned from my years of being in the business, when you’re feeling dizzy, sit your ass down,” he told the audience at a show in St. Paul, Minnesota in June. “When you are feeling strange about yourself, sit your ass down.”

For more stars who have gotten candid about health scares, keep reading…