Lionel Richie is on the road to recovery after being hospitalized for the second time in nearly a month.
“Lionel underwent a common procedure for Atrial fibrillation,” Richie’s rep told Page Six in a statement on Tuesday, September 22. “The doctor said everything went perfectly. Lionel is doing great, but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon.”
According to TMZ, who first broke the news, the next three shows on Richie’s “Sing a Song All Night Long” tour with Earth, Wind & Fire have been canceled. The shows were scheduled for San Francisco, California, Chicago, Illinois and Columbus, Ohio.
Atrial fibrillation (also known as AFib) is described as an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The condition can lead to blood clots in the heart and also increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.
Episodes of AFib may come and go, or they may be constant. While the condition itself usually isn’t life-threatening, it’s helpful to receive proper treatment, which can include medicines, therapy to shock the heart back to a regular rhythm and procedures to block faulty heart signals.
Less than a month ago, Richie, 77, found himself briefly hospitalized and in an intensive care unit. At the time, a source close to the singer’s tour told Us that “Lionel wanted to get checked out, so he stayed in St. Louis, but he’s OK.”
In June, Richie also made headlines when he told a concert crowd in St. Paul, Minnesota, that he felt “dizzy” and “strange” before ending his set early and going to a hospital.
“Thank you for every message, every kind word, and for all your love. ❤️ I’m doing well, and I’m grateful for all of you,” he wrote via Instagram on July 4. “Pittsburgh and Detroit were an absolute joy. The energy, the dancing, the faces in the crowd… we made real memories together. See you in Toronto… let’s party all night long! 🎉.”
Richie started his music career in college and released his debut solo album in 1982 after being a member of the Commodores. Since then, he’s won four Grammys, an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.
In addition to a tour with Earth, Wind & Fire, the American Idol judge is expected to kick off a residency at the Encore Theater inside Wynn Las Vegas on October 14.
“Las Vegas, I’m coming back! ♥️,” Richie wrote via Instagram on July 27 when announcing the upcoming shows.
