Lionel has left the stage in St Paul, Minnesota, after a bout of dizziness. It reminded me of my vertigo (KR Connect December 8 and 9, 2025) – and I hope he’ll be OK.
I worked with Lionel when I was at Pepsi in the 80’s (You Tube: Rare Commercial Vault: Lionel Richie Pepsi).
“We made our choice. Make it a Pepsi – the heart of a New Generation.”
Just a great man – humble, creative, caring and so hard working.
We’re exactly the same age – and the same mentality. Here’s a quote from Eve Buckland, a US Show Biz Editor:
“Loved ones fear Richie – whose best-selling 1983 album is ironically called ‘Can’t Slow Down’ – may be more focused on entertaining audiences than focusing on his own health.
Family and friends are concerned, but nobody is about to tell him to slow down. They all want him to recover quickly and do what he loves to do.”
(Yes, Yes, Yes – Make Happy Choices.)
“They emphasized his incredible work ethic, which has made him a popular entertainer for decades, since the 70’s/80’s.
The Lionel we see on tour and on American Idol is the same Lionel we have known for decades – he’s always moving, always working, and always looking ahead to the next show. His mindset is already focused on getting back out on the road as quickly as possible (Yes, Yes, Yes) because that’s simply who he is.
Music isn’t just his job; it’s what keeps him going. He’s not someone who sits still, and retirement has never been part of the conversation. Right now, Lionel is actually more upset that fans didn’t get the full show …
As far as he’s concerned, this is just a temporary setback and he fully expects to be back doing what he loves … this weekend.”
So – here’s to the Crazy Ones:
- To 77 year old Lionel,
- To 81 year old Rod Stewart getting oxygen on stage in Utah last week,
- To 77 year old Bruce Springsteen just ending up his Land of Hope & Dreams tour with audiences crossing the 1 million mark,
- To 85 year old Bob Dylan’s Never Ending Tour – this episode the ‘Long Hot Summer Tour’ following his records breaking Rough & Rowdy Ways world tour,
- To Robin Dyke – 85 years young, just published his third poetry anthology ‘End Matters’,
- And to top it all, to brilliant Lebanese business Founder / Chairman 89 year old Baha Bassatne who just sat down with me for a three hour interview on the rise and rise of BB Energy Group, a leading, independent energy trading powerhouse.
So yes indeed, here’s to the hard-working, fast-thinking, mold-breaking, mood-changing, story-sharing, history making, glass-ceiling crashing, mind-blowing, unstoppable crazy ones – who are just getting their second wind!!
“Many moons I have lived
My body’s weathered and worn
Ask yourself how would you be
If you didn’t know the day you were born”
Toby Keith
Onwards!
