Lionel Richie sang and danced all night long in Toronto on Saturday — with the help of rehydration fluids — following a health scare late last month that sent him to hospital.
The award-winning singer/songwriter told fans at Scotiabank Arena that he is now drinking “Pedialyte” — commonly used to treat dehydration — after feeling dizzy during his opening night show June 24 in St. Paul, Minn., which he cut short before seeking medical attention.
Richie then postponed shows in Chicago and Columbus — a social media post said he was “heartbroken” to do so — and returned to his “Sing a Song All Night Long” tour on June 30 in Pittsburgh and July 1 in Detroit before hitting Toronto.
“I need to tell you all, strange things happened to me last week — but I feel like I’ve come back from the other side, back over here to say tonight is going to be the greatest night we ever did it live right here,” he told cheering Toronto fans, early into his 90-plus minute set.
“All you have to do is get sick just one time, and all of your fans — they have a remedy for what’s wrong with me,” he also told the crowd. “Some of them I love, the ones I’m going to tell you scared me to death,” he joked.
One woman suggested he put castor oil behind both ears; another told him “these things happen when you turn 80,” he added.
Another told him she bought her husband a scooter, “and you don’t have to run across the stage, you can just ride the scooter,” Richie said.
“Scooter ain’t sexy on stage, y’all,” he said to laughter.
The singer took a few breaks to drink fluids, to cheers and some in the audience urging him to “chug.”
Richie’s set list included all of his biggest hits: Hello, Truly, Dancing on the Ceiling, You Are, Endless Love, All Night Long, as well as a few from his days with the Commodores such as Brick House.
Opening act Earth, Wind & Fire still has three original members performing, who are all also in their 70s.
Richie’s next performance is in Montreal Sunday night.
He has also just released an autobiography, Truly: An Inspirational Journey Through the Life of a Musical Legend.
