Music icon Lionel Richie has been hospitalized again after experiencing another heart-related problem, just three weeks after becoming unwell during a live performance.
The 77-year-old singer is receiving treatment for atrial fibrillation, commonly known as AFib, a condition that causes an irregular heartbeat.
A representative for Richie told the Daily Mail: “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 latest health setback has forced the singer to cancel his next three concerts with Earth, Wind & Fire.
The canceled dates on the Sing a Song All Night Long Tour were scheduled for this Saturday in San Francisco, September 30 in Chicago and October 2 in Columbus, Ohio.
Music legend Lionel Richie (above, in Detroit in July) has been hospitalized again after suffering another heart issue just three weeks after falling ill on stage
The hospitalization is the third involving the “All Night Long” hitmaker within a matter of months.
On August 30, Richie checked himself into a hospital in St. Louis following a concert. He spent several days in intensive care while doctors conducted tests related to his heart before being discharged three days later.
Video from the final song of his performance at The Muny in Forest Park, obtained by the Daily Mail, appeared to show Richie struggling for breath at points as he sang one of his best-known songs, “All Night Long.”
He also appeared to have trouble remaining on his feet. Early in the song, Richie sat on a piano bench and stayed there for the remainder of the performance.
The footage shows Richie returning to the stage for “All Night Long.” Within about 30 seconds, a stagehand brought out a piano bench without being prompted, indicating that the singer may have requested it backstage.
Richie continued performing before gesturing toward the bench, asking stagehands to move it closer to the front of the stage.
The former Commodores frontman, dressed entirely in black except for a red leather jacket emblazoned with “All Night Long” on the back, sat on the edge of the bench and carried on singing to the crowd.
Close-up footage appeared to show Richie short of breath at times, with his vocals fading beneath the song’s heavy backing vocals.
The hospitalization is the third for the “All Night Long” hitmaker (above, in New York in April) within a matter of months
On August 30, the singer checked himself into a St. Louis hospital after a concert (pictured), spending several days in intensive care while undergoing tests for heart-related issues. He was released after three days
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In June, he (pictured) was taken to the hospital after feeling “dizzy” and “strange” during a concert in St. Paul, Minnesota. The performance was cut short before he was transported by ambulance
As “All Night Long” drew to a close, Richie repeatedly pumped his fists in the air.
Once the song ended, he rose from the bench and walked away with his back to the audience. He then turned to shout goodnight and spread his arms as images from earlier in his career played across the giant video screen behind him.
Days later, it was reported that Richie had been hospitalized in St Louis shortly after that performance.
Then back in June, he was rushed to the hospital after feeling ‘dizzy’ and ‘strange’ during a concert in St. Paul, Minnesota as he was forced toe cut the performance short before being taken away in an ambulance.
The septuagenarian hitmaker was performing at the Grand Casino Arena as the start of his joint Sing A Song All Night Long tour with Earth, Wind & Fire when he announced an unusual intermission after a performance of Three Times A Lady from his piano, according to Minnesota’s Bring Me The News.
Richie’s band reportedly also left the stage minutes later, but more than 40 minutes after he cut off the show, a band member returned to announce he wouldn’t be able to return because he was feeling ill.
‘Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well,’ said saxophonist Dino Soldo, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. ‘He won’t be able to continue. Additional information will be available.’
Richie has enjoyed an incredible career as he was behind some of the biggest hits of the 1970s and 1980s including the aforementioned All Night Long and Hello.
The music icon, whose career has spanned more than five decades, rose to fame as the frontman of the Motown group Commodores before embarking on a hugely successful solo career that made him one of the best-selling artists of all time.
Richie (Above, in September 1979) has enjoyed an incredible career as he was behind some of the biggest hits of the 1970s and 1980s including All Night Long and Hello
The artist has three children: 45-year-old daughter Nicole Richie, 28-year-old daughter Sofia Richie Grainge, and 32-year-old son Miles Richie (Above, left to right in Hollywood back in March 2018)
His work has earned him four Grammy Awards and an Oscar. He also co-wrote 1985’s We Are the World, the all-star charity single that became one of the defining songs of its era.
After launching his solo career, Richie quickly established himself as a powerhouse balladeer, with his music going on to sell more than 90 million records worldwide and cementing his place among the world’s best-selling artists.
The artist has three children: 45-year-old daughter Nicole Richie, 28-year-old daughter Sofia Richie Grainge, and 32-year-old son Miles Richie.
Richie has been in a relationship with 37-year-old girlfriend Lisa Parigi since 2014.