Lionel Richie Ignored ‘Warning Signs’ Prior to Hospitalization, Needs to ‘Take Better Care of’ Himself

Loved ones led by devoted daughter Nicole Richie are rallying round Lionel Richie following his recent health scare.

The “Hello” hitmaker, 77, was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday, June 24 after falling ill onstage during his St. Paul, Minnesota concert, TMZ reports.

“Nicole nags him all the time to take things a little easier but now that this has happened, she’s getting a lot tougher,” a source says of The Simple Life star, 44. “She wants to know exactly what the doctors are saying, what tests he needs and what the plan is going forward because the big fear is that Lionel has been brushing off warning signs for longer than anyone realized.”

The next day, Live Nation Chicago announced on Instagram that Lionel’s next two shows have been postponed and that doctors have advised The Commodores crooner “to rest and return to full health” before taking the stage again in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, June 30.

“Nobody expects him to cancel the rest of his commitments,” notes the source. “They know that’s never going to happen, but they’re all hoping this scare is enough to convince him to take better care of his health.”

Only time will tell.

“Lionel has always lived his life in the fast lane and he’s certainly not a guy who is ready to accept his age,” admits the source. “He’s still working at a crazy pace and he’s not exactly a health nut either.”

The four-time Grammy winner “enjoys good food, good wine and having a good time,” the source adds, “and the people around him are terrified it’s all finally catching up with him.”