Lionel Richie Hospitalised After St Louis Concert; Singer Reportedly ‘OK’

St Louis: Music icon Lionel Richie has been hospitalised after his concert in St Louis, Missouri, following concerns about his health during the final part of his performance at The Muny on Saturday, August 29.Richie, 77, reportedly checked himself into a local hospital after the show to undergo medical tests. TMZ, which first reported the hospitalisation, said doctors were looking into possible dehydration. A source close to Richie's tour later told Rolling Stone that the singer is OK, although no detailed diagnosis has been publicly disclosed.

Richie asked for a chair during final song

Richie performed at The Muny's annual summer-finale concert in St Louis. Towards the end of the show, during his closing number “All Night Long,” he reportedly asked his team to bring him a chair and completed the performance while seated.The incident attracted attention because it followed another health scare involving the singer earlier this year.

Earlier health scare forced concert postponements

In June, Richie fell ill during the opening night of his “Sing a Song All Night Long” tour with Earth, Wind & Fire in St Paul, MinnesotaDuring that performance, he told the audience he was feeling dizzy and “strange” before sitting down during the show. The concert was eventually cut short, and two subsequent performances in Chicago and Columbus were postponed on doctors' advice.Richie later returned to the stage and reassured fans that he was doing well. He also addressed the earlier episode during Saturday's St Louis performance and said he had been told by his doctor that he was suffering from dehydration.

Possible dehydration being investigated

Reports following the St Louis concert have pointed to possible dehydration as a factor, but this should not be treated as a confirmed diagnosis.TMZ reported that Richie was being evaluated in hospital and hoped to be discharged on Tuesday. ABC News separately reported that a source close to the singer's tour described the hospital visit as being undertaken out of an abundance of caution.Richie's representatives had not publicly provided a detailed medical update at the time of the latest reports. The Los Angeles Times reported that he was stable and doing well, while a source close to his tour also confirmed to Rolling Stone that he was OK.

What about Lionel Richie's next concert?

Richie's next scheduled performance is currently September 26 in San Francisco, where he is due to perform with Earth, Wind & Fire. There has been no confirmed announcement that the St Louis hospitalisation will affect that performance.For now, the latest information indicates that Richie is under medical observation and is reportedly doing well, while the exact reason for his hospitalisation remains undisclosed.