Lionel Ritchie Pauses His Tour After Heart Surgery
Lionel Richie, 77, underwent a procedure for atrial fibrillation, the irregular heart rhythm that causes fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain, and his representative confirmed Tuesday that everything went well but he will pause touring while he recovers.
"Lionel underwent a common procedure for Atrial fibrillation," his representative said. "The doctor said everything went perfectly. Lionel is doing great but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon."
Three shows are now postponed: Saturday's performance at Chase Center in San Francisco with Earth, Wind & Fire, the September 30 show at the United Center in Chicago and the October 2 date at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus.
All tickets will be honored at future makeup dates. His King of Hearts residency at the Wynn Las Vegas, shows October 14, 16 and 17 and November 11, 13 and 14, is not yet addressed.
It is the third health interruption to Richie's 2026 tour. In June he fell ill on stage on opening night and postponed shows. In late August he checked himself into a St. Louis hospital from precaution after needing a chair onstage to finish All Night Long. Tuesday's AFib procedure explains what has been building all summer.
