Lionel Richie Pauses Touring After Heart Procedure, With the 77-Year-Old Singer Set to Return Soon and Three Late-September Shows Still Listed on His Nationwide Schedule
LOS ANGELES, CA — Lionel Richie is stepping away from the road after having a heart procedure, according to a representative who confirmed the news to ABC News on Tuesday. The 77-year-old music star underwent treatment for atrial fibrillation, a condition commonly known as AFib.
His representative said the procedure went well and that Richie is expected to be back onstage after some time off. The update comes as the singer continues to manage a busy touring calendar that has already included a few health-related interruptions this summer.
What the singer's representative said about the procedure
Richie’s representative said the doctor reported that the procedure “went perfectly” and added that the singer is “doing great.” The statement said he will take some time away from touring before returning to perform soon.
AFib is an irregular heart rhythm that can bring symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says it can be treated with medication, surgery and lifestyle changes.
A summer tour with Earth, Wind & Fire already brought setbacks
Richie has been touring nationwide with Earth, Wind & Fire since earlier this summer, but the run has not gone entirely smoothly. In late June, he fell ill onstage during the first night of the tour and later postponed two shows.
Those interruptions added an early sign that the schedule could be difficult to maintain at full speed. Even so, the tour continued, and fans have still been expecting Richie to keep a strong presence on the road through the fall.
A hospital visit in August raised more concern
Another health update came in late August, when Richie checked himself into a hospital out of an abundance of caution, a source close to the singer’s tour told ABC News. No additional details were shared at the time about what prompted the visit or how long he stayed.
The latest procedure now adds a clearer explanation for why Richie is pressing pause. For a performer with decades of touring behind him, any medical issue can quickly affect an already packed concert calendar.
Three September and October dates remain on the books
Despite the pause, Richie’s website still lists three upcoming tour dates for late September and early October. Those shows are scheduled for San Francisco, Columbus and Chicago, giving fans in those cities reason to watch closely for any further changes.
After that, the schedule calls for Richie to appear at the Wynn in Las Vegas in October and November for his “King of Hearts” shows. Whether those performances move forward as planned will likely depend on how much rest he needs after the procedure.
Why the update matters to longtime fans
Richie has long been one of the most recognizable voices in pop and R&B, so even a short break from touring is a notable moment for fans who have followed him across generations. The combination of a summer co-headlining run and a separate Vegas engagement makes his schedule especially closely watched.
For now, the message from his camp is straightforward: the procedure was successful, he is recovering, and he plans to return to the stage soon. That should reassure concertgoers while leaving the door open to any schedule adjustments that may follow.
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