Lionel Richie undergoes heart procedure, will ‘take some time off’

Lionel Richie underwent a heart procedure leading to the postponement of at least three shows and casting doubt on an upcoming Las Vegas residency, a representative for the famed singer and producer said Tuesday. Richie was scheduled to perform with Earth, Wind & Fire at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday night, at the United Center in Chicago on Sept, 30 and at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio on Oct. 2. All three shows have been postponed with no makeup date immediately set, according to box office employees in San Francisco and Columbus and a statement by the United Center in Chicago. “Lionel underwent a common procedure for Atrial fibrillation (AFib),” a representative for Richie said in a statement. “The doctor said everything went perfectly. Lionel is doing great but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon.” Richie has a residency scheduled at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas, with shows set for Oct. 14, 16, 17 and Nov. 11, 13 and 14. A representative for the Las Vegas hotel and casino could not be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday. Richie has experienced troubling medical incidents in recent months. He was playing in St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 24 when he was forced to end the show early, telling fans he was feeling dizzy. He was performing “Dancing on the Ceiling” when he sat down on stage, stood up and walked a few feet before sitting down again. He also reportedly checked into a St. Louis hospital after feeling weak and dehydrated following an Aug. 29 show.