Music legend Lionel Richie was forced to cut short the first show of his US tour with Earth, Wind & Fire after feeling so unwell he had to sit down while performing his hit song Dancing on the Ceiling.

Video footage shared by fans attending the concert at Grand Casino Arena in St Paul, Minnesota, shows the 77-year-old taking a seat on one of the stage platforms while continuing to sing.

“Now, what I have learned about my years of being in the business, when you are feeling dizzy, sit your ass down,” the multi-Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and American Idol judge told the audience after finishing the song.

“And when you are feeling strange about yourself, sit your ass down.”

Richie – who was part of the Motown group The Commodores and is also known for solo hits such as All Night Long and Hello ­– went on to add that it was the first time in the history of his 1986 chart-topper Dancing on the Ceiling that he had sung it sitting down.

“That’s a bad sign, y’all.”

@ynaffitmocha Praying for Lionel Richie🙏🏾 #lionelrichie #fyp ♬ original sound – ♎️Mocha♎️

According to a local media report, Richie called for an intermission around an hour into the show. After he left the stage, his saxophonist Dino Soldo announced the singer was not feeling well and would not be able to continue.

“Additional information will be available. Thank you for your patience and your understanding,” Soldo added, as the crowd applauded.

Entertainment website TMZ said it was told by sources that paramedics met Richie backstage and an ambulance took him to a hospital, but only as “a precautionary measure”.

The show was the first of a planned 26-venue US tour by Richie with six-time Grammy-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Earth, Wind & Fire.

A statement shared on social media on Friday morning (AEST) by Chicago venue United Center, where they were scheduled to perform on June 26, said that performance and another in Columbus the following day had been postponed.

“Lionel is heartbroken to postpone these two shows and cannot wait to be back performing for his fans,” the statement said, adding that the tour would recommence in Pittsburgh on June 30.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this causes fans who have tickets for these two shows. Rescheduled dates will be announced soon.”

Fans – including those who were at the Minnesota show – have been sending their well wishes.

“Praying for a speedy recovery. It was still so amazing,” wrote one Facebook user. “Listening to you sing and the way you play that piano is just incredible.”

“Loved the show so much!! Thanks for doing ur best to hang in there. Your health and well-being need to be the priority, moving forward…,” agreed another.

Richie’s health scare comes just days after another music legend, Rod Stewart, was forced to pause a concert in Utah to use an oxygen tank after nearly fainting on stage.

Video footage shared online showed the 81-year-old singer leaning on a piano and grabbing other parts of the set for support during Young Turks before staff came out with an oxygen tank.

“The show must go on. I nearly f—ing fainted there. Would you mind if I sit down for this one?” he told the audience, before finishing his show sitting in a chair.