Lionel Richie has been hospitalized again after another alarming heart-related health scare, forcing the music legend to suddenly cancel several upcoming concerts.
The 77-year-old “All Night Long” singer underwent a medical procedure this week to treat atrial fibrillation, commonly known as AFib, as concerns continue to mount following a string of recent health problems.
Richie’s representative confirmed that doctors performed an ablation, a procedure used to treat abnormal heart rhythms.
“Lionel underwent a common procedure for atrial fibrillation (AFib),” his representative told PEOPLE. “The doctor said everything went perfectly.”
The rep added that Richie is “doing great” but will now step away from the stage temporarily to recover.
The latest hospitalization has brought Richie’s ongoing tour with Earth, Wind & Fire to another abrupt halt.
Shows scheduled for Sept. 26 in San Francisco, Sept. 30 in Chicago and Oct. 2 in Columbus, Ohio, have been canceled following the procedure.
AFib causes the heart’s upper chambers to beat irregularly and can increase the risk of complications including blood clots and stroke. An ablation works by targeting small areas of heart tissue responsible for sending the abnormal electrical signals.
Richie’s latest procedure comes after an unsettling series of health scares stretching back several months.
On Aug. 29, the Grammy-winning superstar checked himself into a St. Louis hospital shortly after performing at The Muny.
He spent three days under doctors’ care, including time in the intensive care unit while undergoing tests for cardiac-related issues. Witnesses said Richie appeared to struggle near the end of the concert and needed a chair while performing his signature hit “All Night Long.”
He was released Sept. 2 and returned to Los Angeles, with his team saying at the time that he was “doing great.”
Just days ago, Richie appeared to be bouncing back.
The singer was photographed smiling and giving photographers a thumbs-up while attending a Beverly Hills dinner with longtime girlfriend Lisa Parigi on Sept. 19, marking his first public appearance following the St. Louis hospitalization.
But his health problems actually began earlier in the summer.
During a June 24 concert in St. Paul, Minnesota, Richie suddenly told the crowd that he felt “dizzy” and “strange.” He sat down during “Dancing on the Ceiling” before eventually cutting the show short.
Paramedics met him backstage and transported him to a hospital by ambulance.
The scare forced Richie to postpone his next two concerts while doctors advised him to rest. He returned to the stage days later and reassured fans that he was feeling better.
Despite the frightening string of incidents, Richie’s team is emphasizing that the latest procedure was successful and that the singer plans to perform again after taking time to recover.
For now, however, one of music’s most enduring performers is stepping away from the spotlight as he focuses on his health.
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