Lionel Richie's co-headlining tour with Earth, Wind & Fire made a triumphant return to Toronto's Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night, with the 77-year-old R&B veteran delivering a high-energy performance despite a rocky start to the tour.
Richie seemed to gain momentum as the night wore on, with the audience responding enthusiastically to his hits, including "Hello," "Running With the Night," and "All Night Long." The singer didn't shy away from referencing his earlier health issues, joking about needing Pedialyte on stage to replenish his sugar and electrolyte levels.
At the opening night of the tour in Minnesota, Richie experienced dizziness during the song "Dancing On The Ceiling" and was forced to sit down on stage, ending the show after about an hour. He subsequently had a hospital stay and postponed two tour dates in Chicago and Columbus.
However, Richie appeared to be back in full swing in Toronto, thanking the audience for making him feel at home. He also poked fun at some of the unusual health remedies suggested by fans, including one woman who told him he'd hit his "best-before date" and another who suggested he take castor oil behind both ears.
Richie's setlist featured a mix of his solo hits, duets with virtual Kenny Rogers on "Lady," and ensemble performances, including "We Are The World." He also paid tribute to Commodores bassist-co-founder Ronald LePread, who passed away at the age of 75 in May.
Co-headlining with Richie was Earth, Wind & Fire, featuring the remaining original trio of Verdine White, Philip Bailey, and Ralph Johnson. The group delivered a high-energy set, opening with "Shining Star" and featuring other danceable hits like "Serpentine Fire" and "September."
The night ended with a show-stopping trio of "Boogie Wonderland," "Let's Groove," and "September," which finally got the audience on its feet and kept them there.
Richie's performance was rated *1/2 (3.5 out of four), with the audience responding enthusiastically to his hits and high-energy performance.
