Lionel Richie falls ill onstage, ends opening night of tour early

Lionel Richie abruptly ended the opening night performance of his North American tour on Wednesday after suddenly falling ill onstage in Minnesota.

The 77-year-old hitmaker was about 55 minutes into his show at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul when his condition appeared to take a quick turn for the worse, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported. He’d been singing “Dancing on the Ceiling” at the time, and video shows him sitting down on the stage several times to catch his breath throughout the song.

“When you’re feeling dizzy, sit your (expletive) down,” Richie told the crowd.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer moved on to the piano to perform “Three Times a Lady,” then called for an impromptu intermission before disappearing from view. His band, meanwhile remained onstage for another 15 minutes or so, and then they too made their exit.

Some 40 minutes later, Earth, Wind & Fire saxophonist Dino Soldo returned to address the audience and thanked the audience for their patience.

“Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well,” he said. “He won’t be able to continue. Additional information will be available.”

Shortly thereafter, Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris told the Minnesota Star Tribune that Richie appeared his normal self prior to the show, and that they were not aware of any serious health issues.

“He’s a little dehydrated,” Paris said, though he provided few other details on Richie’s condition.

The performance Wednesday night marked the first in a 26-date run for Richie’s “Sing Along All Night Long tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.” Other stops include New York City’s Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome before it wraps at Austin’s Moody Center on Aug. 14.

The “Hello” singer’s next show is slated for Chicago on Friday.