Lionel Richie Closes Out Summer at The Muny With a Night of Timeless Hits

ST. LOUIS — Lionel Richie proved that some songs — and some performers — simply never go out of style.

The legendary entertainer took over The Muny in Forest Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, for the theater’s annual summer-finale concert, delivering a night packed with nostalgia, emotion, humor and the timeless music that has defined his career for more than five decades.

At 77, Richie commanded the stage with the charisma and showmanship that have made him one of music’s most enduring performers.

Lionel Richie Brings the Hits to St. Louis

From his years with the Commodores to his massive solo career, Richie reached deep into a catalog that has provided the soundtrack to generations.

The crowd joined him throughout the night for classics including “Stuck on You,” “Sail On,” “Three Times a Lady” and “Dancing on the Ceiling.” The latter even included a burst of Van Halen’s “Jump,” adding another jolt of energy to the performance.

Richie also revisited the funkier side of his Commodores days with “Fancy Dancer” and “Brick House,” mixing a taste of the Ohio Players’ “Fire” into the set as pyrotechnics lit up the Muny stage.

And, of course, a Lionel Richie concert wouldn’t be complete without some of his most recognizable solo hits, including “Hello” and the ultimate party anthem, “All Night Long (All Night).”

More Than a Concert

What made the evening special wasn’t simply the number of recognizable songs. It was Richie’s connection with the audience.

Between performances, he joked with fans, told stories and reflected on moments from his remarkable career. At other points, thousands of voices filled the outdoor theater as the crowd sang along beneath the St. Louis night sky.

One of the evening’s most emotional moments came during “Lady,” when Richie performed alongside video of his late friend Kenny Rogers.

Richie also addressed a recent health challenge on tour, telling the audience that he had been dealing with dehydration. Despite the setback, he powered through the performance with plenty of energy — frequently encouraging the audience to sing, dance and become part of the show.

A Fitting Finale for Another Muny Summer

The Aug. 29 performance continued The Muny’s revived tradition of hosting major artists for special summer concerts.

Live concerts were once a regular part of The Muny experience before disappearing for more than three decades. The tradition returned in 2024 with John Legend and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, followed by Diana Ross and Jon Batiste in 2025.

Richie became the latest music legend to take the historic Forest Park stage, joining a list of past Muny concert performers that includes Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle, Sting, Barry Manilow and Bob Dylan.

The concert followed The Muny’s 108th season of musical theater, which featured seven productions from June through August and concluded with Something Rotten! on Aug. 23.

Lionel Richie Reminds St. Louis Why the Music Endures

More than 50 years into his career, Richie didn’t need elaborate introductions to connect with the audience. The opening notes of songs generations have grown up with were enough.

For longtime fans, the evening was a trip through decades of memories. For younger audience members, it was an opportunity to experience a performer whose influence stretches across R&B, soul, funk and pop.

By the end of the night, The Muny had transformed from an outdoor theater into one massive celebration.

Lionel Richie came to St. Louis with a catalog of classics and left Forest Park with thousands of people singing, dancing and celebrating right along with him.

And for one final summer night at The Muny, St. Louis truly danced “All Night Long.”

Stay tuned for more information about Season 109 dropping December 2, 2026 https://muny.org

Photo Credit: Marvin Waldon/Front n Center