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HEALTH SCARE

Lionel Richie, 77, Pauses Tour After Heart Procedure: 'Doing Great,' Rep Says

The soul legend underwent a procedure for an irregular heartbeat this week, forcing him to scrap several dates on his co-headlining run with Earth, Wind & Fire.

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BY OBSERVER ENTERTAINMENT DESK

The Weekly Observer

SEP 22, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
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Lionel Richie, 77, Pauses Tour After Heart Procedure: 'Doing Great,' Rep Says
Lionel Richie performs at a 2022 tribute concert — file photo. (Photo: Library of Congress, public domain)

Lionel Richie is taking a break from the road after undergoing a heart procedure this week, according to his representative, who says the 77-year-old singer is recovering well but needs time off before returning to his co-headlining tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.

Richie was hospitalized and underwent treatment for atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm condition, forcing the cancellation of upcoming stops in San Francisco, Chicago and Columbus, according to ABC News' report on the cancellations.

"THE DOCTOR SAID EVERYTHING WENT PERFECTLY. LIONEL IS DOING GREAT BUT WILL TAKE SOME TIME OFF AND WILL BE BACK ON STAGE SOON" — RICHIE'S REPRESENTATIVE

The health scare marks the third time Richie has been hospitalized during this tour run, based on prior reporting from the road. No further details on the earlier incidents were disclosed by his team, and his representative did not specify an exact date for his return, saying only that he is expected back "soon."

Richie has remained one of pop and soul's most durable touring draws for decades, and the pairing with Earth, Wind & Fire — itself one of the most enduring live acts in American music — has been among the year's bigger nostalgia-circuit tickets. Fans holding tickets to the canceled San Francisco, Chicago and Columbus shows are expected to receive refund or rescheduling information directly from the tour's promoter in the coming days.

Richie's camp has offered no indication that the remainder of the tour is in jeopardy, framing the pause as precautionary rather than a sign of a longer-term health issue.

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