After postponing a number of shows on his headlining tour with Earth, Wind & Fire, Lionel Richie has undergone a procedure to correct his atrial fibrillation.
“The doctor said everything went perfectly,” a representative for Richie told Billboard in a statement. “Lionel is doing great, but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon.”
Atrial fibrillation is an erratic heartbeat often caused by inefficient blood flow that can cause dizziness and fatigue. It is usually treated through cardiac ablation or a pacemaker. It is unclear what exact treatment Richie received or when his procedure occurred, as the representative declined to give further details.
Richie has been experienced heart issues off and on since the arena tour kicked off June 24 at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minn. While performing his ‘80s hit “Dancin’ on the Ceiling,” Richie told the audience he was feeling shaky and then sat down. “When you’re feeling dizzy, sit your ass down,” he said. He then took an unscheduled intermission and ultimately did not return to stage.
He postponed the next two shows in Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, under doctor’s orders to rest. Richie then returned to the tour, making the incident a humorous part of his act, taking a number of breaks to hydrate and drink his electrolytes.
Then following his Aug. 29 concert in St. Louis, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee checked himself into a local hospital to have some tests run. Richie struggled at times during the normally high energy show, according to TMZ, asking for a chair during concert closer, “All Night Long.”
As he recuperates, Richie has canceled the next three scheduled shows in San Francisco on Sept. 26, Chicago on Sept. 30 and Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 2. (The latter two dates were already rescheduled from the earlier postponements.) The next concerts on his schedule are a six-show residency at Las Vegas’ Encore Theater at the Wynn starting Oct. 14.
Richie’s tour mates, EW&F, have also had health issues: Drummer John Paris suffered a heart attack in early August and was hospitalized.
