Lionel Richie leaves 20,000 fans enraged after canceling his Madison Square Garden show an hour AFTER it was supposed to start
- The soul singer, 74, was due to perform alongside Earth Wind & Fire on Saturday night – but they dropped the show after fans were already seated in the arena
- Instead of apologizing, Richie just said he was “disappointed” he couldn’t be there
Lionel Richie left 20,000 fans enraged and disappointed after canceling his sold-out Madison Square Garden show an hour after it started.
The soul singer, 74, was due to perform alongside Earth Wind & Fire on Saturday night – but they dropped out of the show as fans were already in their seats waiting for the performance.
Richie blamed “bad weather” – which meant he couldn’t land in New York.
The All Night Long singer had performed his Sing A Song All Night Long tour in Boston the night before, a four-hour drive from the Big Apple.
Instead of apologizing, Richie just said he was “disgusted” he couldn’t be there.
Lionel Richie left 20,000 fans enraged and disappointed after canceling his sold-out Madison Square Garden show an hour after it started
At 8.31pm, an hour after he was already supposed to be on stage, Lionel Richie wrote: ‘Due to inclement weather and the inability to land in and around New York, I cannot make it to the show tonight. I am so disgusted.
“We are postponing the show to Monday August 14. I can’t wait to play for you all. Tickets for tonight’s show are valid for Monday’s show.’
Tickets for Richie’s show on Monday in the front section are on sale for over $500.
There were thunderstorms and torrential rains across New York – but those weather fronts didn’t occur until the early hours of Sunday morning, when Richie’s concert would have ended.
The cancellation infuriated thousands – who pointed out that there would have been other ways for the singer to get to New York without flying.
Fans were recorded booing inside the iconic New York venue when the announcement was made. Many had made long trips to watch Richie at MSG.
A couple said they crossed the Atlantic just for the show – and were completely disappointed by Richie’s cancellation: ‘We flew in from Ireland and sat at MSG tonight for two hours.
“Heartbroken, can you please confirm that Earth Wind and Fire will be playing the rescheduled concert on Monday.”
Another furious fan said: ‘After spending $1000 on two VIP tickets one weekend, I hope we get a refund. Monday is not an option.
“We also spent $500 on a hotel and several hundred more on food in the area. What a big disappointment for my birthday!!!! Ugh.’
One furious fan wrote: ‘I CALL BULLS**T! YOU PLAYED IN BOSTON LAST NIGHT. 1.5 hours by plane to New York, 4 hours by bus.
‘THERE WAS NO CANCELLATION EARLIER TODAY, YOU MUST BE IN NYC BY 2PM AT THE LATEST. THANK YOU FOR WASTING OUR TIME AND MONEY ON YOUR NO-SHOW!’
The All Night Long singer had performed his Sing A Song All Night Long tour in Boston the night before, a four-hour drive from the Big Apple.
Verdine White, Philip Bailey and Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind & Fire perform in Toronto, Ontario
Another added: “Damn fans are pissed they didn’t know until they were already in their place.”
And a third said: ‘That’s why you have contingency plans. Could have driven from Boston. Earth Wind and Fire was no problem.
’20k fans did too. Your staff made you look bad.
A woman said she took her elderly mother to New York for a birthday surprise. From now on, they will not be able to attend the postponed concert.
They said: ‘I went to New York with my mum for her 75th birthday, she wants to see you for the occasion.
“Monday August 14 will not work for us as we are going home. So no concert on the day of the milestone anniversary. Quite disappointed.
