Lionel Richie is finally heading home-but his latest health scare has left fans wondering whether the 77-year-old music legend may be pushing himself too hard. The "Hello" singer was discharged from a St. Louis hospital Wednesday afternoon after spending three days under medical supervision, including time in intensive care while doctors investigated cardiac-related concerns.
Richie checked himself into the hospital following his August 29 concert at The Muny in St. Louis. Audience members reportedly became worried when the usually energetic entertainer appeared to struggle toward the end of the show and requested a chair so that he could finish his closing number, "All Night Long," while seated. Doctors initially considered mild dehydration before conducting additional cardiac tests.
Thankfully, the frightening episode appears to have ended on a positive note. A source said Richie is back at his Los Angeles home and "doing great" following the three-day hospital stay. However, no precise diagnosis has been publicly disclosed, leaving questions about what prompted the cardiac testing and whether doctors have advised him to reduce his demanding performance schedule.
The incident is particularly troubling because it marks Richie's second onstage medical emergency in only a few months. In June, he became dizzy and felt "strange" during a concert in St. Paul, Minnesota. He cut the show short and was transported to a hospital by ambulance, while two subsequent performances were postponed under doctors' orders. Richie later returned to the stage and jokingly told fans that experience had taught him when it was time to sit down.
Richie is currently touring with Earth, Wind & Fire on their Sing A Song All Night Long tour. His next scheduled appearance is September 26 at San Francisco's Chase Center, and no change to that concert has yet been announced. Still, after two hospital visits and two unsettling performances, fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see whether the veteran showman returns as planned-or finally decides that "all night long" may need to end a little earlier.
