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Lionel Richie is taking time off from touring after undergoing a heart procedure to treat atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib.
The 77-year-old singer's representative confirmed the procedure on Sept. 22, saying everything went well and that Richie is recovering.
"Lionel underwent a common procedure for Atrial fibrillation," the representative told E! News. "The doctor said everything went perfectly. Lionel is doing great but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon."
As he recovers, Richie has canceled three upcoming concerts with Earth, Wind & Fire. The affected dates are Sept. 26 in San Francisco, Sept. 30 in Chicago and Oct. 2 in Columbus, Ohio. The Chicago and Columbus performances had already been rescheduled following earlier cancellations.
The latest health setback follows several incidents during Richie's current arena tour, which began in June. During a June performance in St. Paul, Minnesota, he became dizzy while performing "Dancing on the Ceiling" and sat down onstage before taking an unscheduled break. He later explained that doctors had attributed the episode to dehydration.
Richie subsequently returned to the tour, incorporating breaks to hydrate into his performances. "When you're feeling dizzy, sit your ass down," he told the audience at one show. "When you are feeling strange about yourself, sit your ass down."
The singer also checked himself into a hospital after his Aug. 29 concert in St. Louis to undergo tests as a precaution. He had reportedly struggled at points during the performance and asked for a chair while singing "All Night Long."
His next scheduled performances are a six-show Las Vegas residency at Encore Theater at Wynn, beginning Oct. 14.



