Lionel Richie has been hospitalized for the third time since June after experiencing heart problems during his ongoing tour.
The legendary singer, 77, has canceled his next three concerts with Earth, Wind & Fire, according to TMZ. The shows were scheduled for Saturday in San Francisco, September 30 in Chicago and October 2 in Columbus, Ohio.
His representative told The Independent on Tuesday: ““Lionel underwent a common procedure for Atrial fibrillation (AFib). The doctor said everything went perfectly. Lionel is doing great but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon.”
AFib is the most common irregular heart rhythm. Although it is not life-threatening on its own, the disorder can lead to health complications. Symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, heart palpitations and shortness of breath.
Richie was previously hospitalized for issues with his heart in June and again in August.
Last month, the American Idol judge spent three days in the hospital after he struggled to finish his August 29 concert in St. Louis, Missouri.
Richie became visibly winded on stage and videos from the end of the concert showed him asking for a chair while performing his last song of the night, “All Night Long.” He then left the show and checked himself into the hospital, winding up in the ICU.
Prior to that, the performer, who first made a name for himself with The Commodores, had a hospital visit after experiencing a dizzy spell during the first show of his tour in St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 24.
During his performance of “Dancing on the Ceiling,” Richie joked that he had never sang that song while seated, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported at the time.
“Now, what I have learned about my years of being in the business: when you are feeling dizzy, sit your ass down,” he joked on stage. “And when you are feeling strange about yourself, sit your ass down.”
He continued: “Now I want you to know that that is the first time in the history of ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’ I’ve done it sitting down,” he continued to audience laughter and cheers. “That’s a bad sign! That’s a bad sign, y’all.”
Richie then sat down at the piano and performed another song before taking an impromptu intermission, according to the local outlet.
He went on to postpone two tour dates after seeing a doctor in the aftermath of the show.
The star later shared a July 4 Instagram post assuring fans he was “doing well” after the health scare.
“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 said in the post’s caption. “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!”
After Richie’s tour was set to wrap up October 2, the singer was scheduled to start his King of Hearts residency in Las Vegas from October 14 through mid-November.
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