Lionel Richie undergoes heart procedure for AFib and cancels three tour dates
Lionel Richie has canceled three joint tour dates with Earth, Wind & Fire after undergoing a planned cardiac ablation to treat atrial fibrillation, with his Las Vegas residency set to begin on October 14.
Cardiac procedure and tour cancellations
Lionel Richie, 77, underwent a scheduled medical procedure to treat atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat, prompting the cancellation of three upcoming concert stops on his joint tour with Earth, Wind & Fire. The procedure was carried out on a non-emergency basis to address cardiac arrhythmia through ablation. The treatment uses heat energy, cold energy, or high-energy electrical pulses to create small scars in heart tissue, preventing faulty electrical signals from disrupting the cardiac rhythm and restoring a normal beat.
A representative for Richie confirmed that the medical intervention was completed successfully.
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 cancellations affect three upcoming performances on the Sing a Song All Night Long Tour. The canceled stops include a September 26 concert in San Francisco, a September 30 show in Chicago, and an October 2 performance in Columbus, Ohio.
Previous hospitalizations during 2026 tour
The intervention follows earlier medical disruptions during Richie's 2026 touring schedule. On June 24, during an opening performance in St. Paul, Minnesota, Richie brought the concert to an early halt after experiencing dizziness and feeling strange on stage. Paramedics transported him by ambulance to a local hospital, leading to the cancellation of two subsequent concerts before he resumed touring on June 30 and told audiences not to worry. On July 4, Richie published a message thanking attendees in Detroit and Pittsburgh for their support following his return.
On August 29, Richie checked himself into a medical center in St. Louis following a concert at The Muny amphitheatre. Medical staff admitted him to an intensive care unit for observation and diagnostic cardiovascular testing, following initial reports that pointed to dehydration. Richie remained in the hospital for three days before being discharged on September 2 to return home to Los Angeles. On September 19, the singer made his first public appearance following that hospitalization, dining with his partner Lisa Parigi at Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills.
Upcoming residency and television commitments
- Show in St. Paul halted early due to dizziness, followed by ambulance transport to hospital
- Returns to tour stage following two canceled concert dates
- Admitted to St. Louis hospital ICU for cardiac evaluation after performance
- Discharged from hospital and returns home to Los Angeles
- Seen in public dining in Beverly Hills
- Undergoes AFib ablation procedure and cancels three upcoming tour stops
- Scheduled opening of concert residency at Wynn Las Vegas
Richie is scheduled to return to the stage for a concert residency at Wynn Las Vegas. The three-night engagement at the Encore Theater begins on October 14, with performances scheduled through November. Representatives confirmed that the Las Vegas calendar remains unchanged as the singer takes time off for recovery.
The musician, known for solo hits such as "All Night Long", "Hello", and "Say You, Say Me", has earned four Grammy Awards from 33 career nominations across his solo work and his tenure with the Commodores. In addition to touring, Richie is preparing for Season 25 of the ABC talent series American Idol. Richie will return to the judging panel alongside musicians Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan when the television season begins its midseason broadcast.
