Lionel Richie has returned to the stage and is sharing a hopeful — albeit quick — update on his health after cancelling two shows amid a battle with an unspecified type of illness.
“Thank you for every message, every kind word, and for all your love,” Richie, 77, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, July 4, sharing numerous photos featuring the iconic singer performing on stage. “I’m doing well, and I’m grateful for all of you.”
He continued, “Pittsburgh and Detroit were an absolute joy. The energy, the dancing, the faces in the crowd… we made real memories together. See you in Toronto… let’s party all night long.”
Late last month, Richie postponed two of his Sing a Song All Night Long Tour shows in Illinois and Ohio after he was forced to cut the opening night of his tour short due to illness.
“Under advisement by doctors to rest and return to full health, Lionel Richie has postponed his show on Friday, June 26, in Chicago, IL, and Saturday, June 27, in Columbus, OH,” a statement shared via the Live Nation Chicago and the United Center in Chicago’s official instagram accounts on June 25 read. “He and Earth, Wind & Fire will return to the stage on Tuesday, June 30, in Pittsburgh, PA. Lionel is heartbroken to postpone these two shows and cannot wait to be back to performing for his fans.”
The statement concluded at the time, “We apologize for any inconvenience this causes fans who have tickets for these two shows. Rescheduled dates will be announced soon.”
Richie has yet to publicly release any additional information regarding his illness, including any diagnosis or treatment he received. According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, the singer was performing on stage in St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 24 when he started feeling dizzy and stopped the set just under an hour into his tour’s opening night performance.
Richie was singing “Dancing on the Ceiling” while he was forced to take a seat. According to the local news outlet, Richie then left the stage and, 40 minutes later, the singer’s saxophonist Dino Soldo returned to the stage to give fans an unfortunate update.
“Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well,” the performer told the crowd at the time. “He won’t be able to continue. Additional information will be available.”
Us Weekly reached out to representatives for Richie at the time for comment, but did not hear back.
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