Lionel Richie outrages 20K fans after canceling Earth Wind & Fire’s MSG show

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Apparently, water is greater than earth, wind and fire for Lionel Richie. 

Lionel Richie and Earth Wind & Fire canceled their sold-out Madison Square Garden show Saturday — an hour after it was set to begin — when the singer said he was unable to fly into the Big Apple due to poor weather conditions.

The 20,000 fans in attendance, some of whom spent hundreds on tickets and hotel rooms, blasted the iconic singer for keeping them waiting “all night long.”

“Due to severe weather and being unable to land in the NY and surrounding areas, I’m unable to make it to the show tonight,” the “Endless Love” singer tweeted at 8:31 p.m. The show was scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

“I’m so bummed. We are rescheduling the show to Monday Aug 14. Can’t wait to perform for you all. Tickets for tonight’s show are valid for the show on Monday.”

Video from inside the packed arena shows dejected fans booing and taking to the aisles as a spokesperson announced that the show had been canceled.


Lionel Ritchie
Lionel Richie announced that he couldn’t make the show due to severe weather — and hour after it was set to start, leaving the sold-out crowd of 20,000
Lionel Richie/Twitter

Fans flooded out of the stadium after a MSG spokesperson announced the show was canceled.
Fans flooded out of the stadium after an MSG spokesperson announced the show was canceled.
James Staubitser/NY Post

Footage also showed fans discussing whether or not they’d be able to return to Manhattan on Monday.

Earth Wind and Fire is scheduled to play a show at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, Connecticut, without Richie on Monday. 

It’s not clear if they would be performing at the Garden or there that night.

A married couple who frequents MSG for concerts told The Post they started to realize something was up when the show still hadn’t started 45 minutes after it was set to begin.

“You can’t sell out Madison Square Garden and [cancel due to] a weather issue. I’m frustrated and I’m concerned — I think it might be something else. I’m worried that it’s something else and that [the weather] was an excuse,” the woman said.


fans leaving MSG after Lionel Ritchie cancels show
Thousands of fans filed out of the show after the announcement was made.
James Staubitser/NY Post

Fans leaving Lionel Ritchie canceled concert at MSG
Annoyed fans could be heard booing as they left their seats.
James Staubitser/NY Post

Fans took to social media to express their outrage at the Commodore’s frontman after he announced the cancellation, with many saying they spent good money on tickets, travel and hotels for the concert.

“We bought our parents good seats for a lot of money for their 50th wedding anniversary. They’re 75 and were really looking forward to tonight’s show. Thanks for ruining the gift we got for them,” one Twitter user wrote.

“After spending $1000 on two VIP tickets on a weekend, I am hoping we get a refund. Monday is not an option. We also spent $500 on a hotel and also spent several hundred dollars on food in the area,” Julie Treska tweeted. “What a huge bummer for my birthday!!! Ugh.”

Many fans questioned why Richie couldn’t have gotten to New York another way from Boston, where he played a show with Earth Wind and Fire on Friday night.

“Sounds like bad planning on your part @LionelRichie, trying to fly in at the last minute. I’ll take a refund please – no thanks to Monday!” another tweeted.

“No respect for your fans! You are no Taylor Swift. Do better. You could have driven from Boston,” Gail DeLuca said.

“Waiting all night long,” another snarked, a reference to Richie’s 1983 hit.



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