Earth, Wind & Fire Show With Lionel Richie Suddenly Called Off Due To “Medical Emergency”

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On Aug. 6, an Earth, Wind & Fire show with Lionel Richie was called off shortly before it began due to a "medical emergency." (Photo credit: Jeremychanphotography / Getty Images, and Steve Jennings / Getty Images)

Earth, Wind & Fire and Lionel Richie were hours away from performing on the next stop in their Sing A Song All Night Long Tour, but the show was suddenly called off.

On Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, a sudden “medical emergency” was cited by the legendary band, with a new date to be announced soon.

This comes just over a month after Lionel Richie, age 77, had a dizzy spell onstage at a show on June 24.

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More About The Canceled Earth, Wind & Fire Show With Lionel Richie

“We are unable to perform as scheduled tonight at Chase Center in San Francisco due to a medical emergency involving a member of our band,” Earth, Wind & Fire announced on social media on Aug. 6.

According to local NBC Bay Area, the San Francisco Fire Department said they responded to a call regarding an individual at Chase Center around 5:30 p.m.

Speaking with TMZ, Mariano Elias, a spokesperson for the fire department, it was a “cardiac incident.”

One person was transported to an area hospital, but Earth, Wind & Fire have not shared which member of the band had this medical emergency.

Continuing its statement, Earth, Wind & Fire said, “As a result, tonight’s show with Lionel Richie will be rescheduled, with a new date to be announced soon.”

The tour is expected to conclude on Aug. 14, with Earth, Wind & Fire to then continue performing this fall without Lionel Richie.

When Lionel had his health scare on June 24, which found him singing onstage while sitting down, two other shows were postponed to allow the artist to recover.

Earth, Wind & Fire has not yet addressed its scheduled shows for Aug. 8 and Aug. 9, which are set to be held in Palm Desert, California; and Los Angeles, California, respectively.

Noting that tickets for the canceled Aug. 6 show will be honored at the rescheduled concert, Earth, Wind & Fire concluded its statement by saying, “We sincerely apologize for the unexpected change and appreciate everyone’s understanding.”

See the full statement, here:

RELATED: Lionel Richie Makes Abrupt Exit After Dizzy Spell On Stage, Cancels Rest Of Show

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About the Author

Grant Bromley

Howdy, I’m Grant, a multimedia storyteller and lover of the arts. Whether it’s Copland’s ballet Rodeo or Peckinpah’s iconic Western Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, I have an appreciation for works that engage with the American mythos. Covering news, I help tell the stories that define our shared tomorrow.

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