Easy to love classic Richie
Lionel Richie is to love songs what soppy ballads are to wedding receptions – unashamedly endearing.
And Richie, whose middle-of-the-road magic remains as fresh today as it did three decades ago, delivered hit after hit last night with an infectious, unforced passion and boundless energy defying his 59 years.
There was no long, protracted superstar entrance. Beaming, he stepped on stage to thunderous applause before getting straight down to business behind the piano with Easy.
Stuck On You, Penny Lover, Three Times A Lady, Hello, Say You, Say Me, Ballerina, Endless Love, Truly, Sail On – the evergreen sugar-coated classics delighted fans and had couples swaying as all the old favourites were crammed into a truly great two-hour set.
Backed by a five-piece band, there was also plenty of pacy numbers including a pounding Running With The Night, Dancing On The Ceiling and the feelgood finale, All Night Long.
The former Motown singer turned pop-soul king is showing no signs of slowing down as a slick live performer.
By Stella Stokes.
Picture courtesy of Jason Sheldon.
