Lionel Richie, Earth, Wind & Fire concert called off over medical emergency moments before showtime
A medical scare involving a member of Earth, Wind & Fire forced Lionel Richie’s San Francisco concert to be postponed Thursday night, leaving fans waiting outside the Chase Center just minutes before the show was set to begin.
The arena announced the sudden delay shortly after 7:20 p.m., just before the scheduled 7:30 p.m. start time, citing an emergency involving a band member.
The person’s identity, condition and details surrounding the incident were not immediately revealed.
Lionel Richie performs during his Sing A Song All Night Long Tour at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, on July 24, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Bassist Verdine White, center, flanked by the band’s guitarists, performs as Earth, Wind & Fire during their Sing a Song All Night Long tour stop on June 24, 2026, at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota. Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images
People line up at Chase Center in San Francisco. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
This follows a separate incident in June where Richie postponed two concerts after an onstage dizzy spell and brief hospitalization, though he resumed his tour days later.
“Tonight’s show with Lionel Ritchie will be rescheduled, with a new date to be announced soon,” the Chase Center said in a statement. “Ticket holders should retain their tickets, which will be honored for the new date, or refunds will be available at the point of purchase.”
It remained unclear whether Earth, Wind & Fire’s portion of the performance would also be rescheduled.
Official statement from staff outside the doors of Chase Center in San Francisco.
Earth, Wind and Fire and Lionel Richie Tour
they knew before 7:30 PM that the show was not happening and they waited, leaving senior citizens out in the SF windy cold weather without a word. pic.twitter.com/ycQc8UsiQL
— stephanie (@estephaniiaa_) August 7, 2026
The Lionel Richie / Earth, wind and fire concert at Chase Center in San Francisco was canceled tonight due to a medical emergency of someone in the band. They didn’t say who. pic.twitter.com/idHP1XHhdi
— Lisa Fernandez (@ljfernandez) August 7, 2026
The concert was set to take place at the Chase Center, the $1.4 billion home arena of the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood.
Following the postponed Chase Center show, the tour is scheduled to resume this Saturday in Palm Desert, followed by stops in Los Angeles, Phoenix and Austin.
