MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 About 55 minutes into his performance Wednesday at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Lionel Richie announced an unexpected intermission.<\/p>\n
Moments earlier, he had told the 10,000 fans that he was feeling dizzy and feeling strange and that\u2019s why he\u2019d performed \u201cDancing on the Ceiling,\u201d one of his most energetic hits, while sitting on a step on the stage. He said he\u2019d never done that song sitting.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re feeling dizzy, sit your ass down,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
So the 77-year-old sat down at a grand piano for the ensuing \u201cThree Times a Lady,\u201d one of the many hit ballads in his repertoire.<\/p>\n
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Then he proclaimed a surprise \u201cintermission\u201d and exited the stage through a giant screen that spelled out LIONEL.<\/p>\n
Richie\u2019s five band members remained onstage in their positions for about 15 minutes and then departed without a word. Meanwhile, recorded music was broadcast over the sound system at a soft volume.<\/p>\n
This was the opening night of the Sing a Song All Night Long Tour featuring Earth, Wind & Fire and Richie. They have toured together before, playing in St. Paul three years ago.<\/p>\n
Frustrated that there was no announcement, concertgoers began to depart after the band did. Then, at 10:50 p.m., or 40 minutes after Richie had called for intermission, saxophonist Dino Soldo went onstage and thanked the audience for their patience.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well,\u201d said the sideman who\u2019d sat with Richie during \u201cDancing on the Ceiling.\u201d \u201cHe won\u2019t be able to continue. Additional information will be available.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kristine Donatelle of Minneapolis was impressed by Richie\u2019s abbreviated performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m grateful for what he was able to do at age 77,\u201d she said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t surprised he had to sit. Rod Stewart did that recently and he did that with oxygen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earth, Wind & Fire kicked off Wednesday\u2019s program with a musically rich, crowd-pleasing 50 minutes. Richie, the \u201cAmerican Idol\u201d judge, was expected to perform for 90 minutes.<\/p>\n
Once he took the stage, Richie\u2019s voice was not as smooth as it had been at his last Twin Cities performance in St. Paul in 2023, and he often turned to the fans on Wednesday to sing choruses on his hits.<\/p>\n
The singer, dressed in leather pants and jacket, was sweating noticeably, frequently toweling his face.<\/p>\n
After the Richie announcement, Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris told the Minnesota Star Tribune that there had not been any preshow indication of any issues with Richie.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a little dehydrated,\u201d Paris said, though he didn\u2019t know his official health status.<\/p>\n
The tour\u2019s next show is Friday in Chicago.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n