Lionel Richie faced severe health challenges, nearly ending his singing career. Despite numerous surgeries, including a life-threatening throat condition, Richie persevered. Reflecting on his darkest moments, he confessed, “It was the end of the world.” Only the birth of his son brought solace.

Richie’s woes extended beyond his throat. Battling arthritis from years of stage performances, he underwent a hip replacement. He joked about feeling “bionic” post-surgery.Further setbacks arose with a knee injury threatening to halt his career. Eventually, surgery restored him. Despite these challenges, Richie’s resilience shines, ensuring his place in music history.

Lionel Richie’s usually the happiest guy in the room. And while he’s a legendary showman, it’s no act.“I’ll pass on exactly what my father said to me: Aptitude plus attitude determines altitude,’” he tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story and issue honoring Black History Month. “If you happen to have both, sky’s the limit, but if you’re only blessed with one, have the right attitude because people will love to have you around.”

That said, the 72-year-old American Idol judge, says he’s seen his share of dark days. While battling a mysterious illness affecting his throat during the height of his solo career, Richie recalls feeling overwhelmed.

“About as close as you ever would’ve come to a nervous breakdown,” says the star, of that trying time. In the early ’90s, Richie underwent four separate surgeries to address an unknown condition impacting his throat.

“You don’t want anybody fooling around down there. This is your identity,” he says of nervousness surrounding the procedures, adding, “I never really thought that it would end.”

In the end, Richie — who was also in the midst of a difficult divorce from his first wife Brenda Harvey and caring for his ailing father — was diagnosed with diet-induced acid reflux that was affecting the area.

He went on to recover and hasn’t suffered since, but Richie still recalls a chance encounter with a fan during that difficult time that helped get him through.

One day while on the beach in Jamaica he says an elderly Black man pulled him aside. “He said, ‘You must survive because you are our beacon of hope,’” the star says. “‘If you make it, we know we can make it. If you accomplish, we know we can accomplish.’ I was crying.”

 Lionel Richie’s Career: A Legendary Journey in Music

Lionel Richie is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and musician whose career has spanned over five decades. Known for his smooth vocals, emotional ballads, and universal appeal, Richie became one of the most influential artists of his generation.

 Early Life and Musical Beginnings

• Full Name: Lionel Brockman Richie Jr.
• Born: June 20, 1949, in Tuskegee, Alabama, USA.
• Raised on the campus of Tuskegee Institute, Richie was exposed to a rich musical environment from an early age.
• He initially planned to become a priest but later decided to pursue music, playing in various R&B groups while studying economics at Tuskegee University. The Commodores Era (Late 1960s – Early 1980s)Lionel Richie first rose to fame as a founding member of the Commodores, a funk and soul band signed to Motown Records.Notable Hits with the Commodores:
  • “Easy”“Three Times a Lady”“Still”“Sail On”“Brick House” (a funk anthem, though Richie did not sing lead on this one)

  These songs became staples of 1970s R&B and pop. Richie served as the group’s saxophonist, co-lead vocalist, and primary songwriter. His ballads stood out and attracted attention beyond the R&B world. Solo Career Breakthrough (1982 – Present)In 1982, Richie left the Commodores to launch his solo career, which quickly skyrocketed. Debut Solo Album: Lionel Richie (1982)

  • Hit songs:
    • “Truly”“You Are”“My Love”

  The album was a huge success, reaching #3 on the Billboard 200 and selling over 4 million copies. Second Album: Can’t Slow Down (1983)This was the album that made Lionel Richie a global superstar.

  • Won Grammy Award for Album of the Year (1984)
  • Sold over 20 million copies worldwide
  • Featured classic hits:
    • “All Night Long (All Night)” – A Caribbean-inspired party anthem
    • “Hello” – One of his signature ballads
    • “Stuck on You”
    • “Running with the Night”
    • “Penny Lover” “We Are the World” (1985)Richie co-wrote the charity single “We Are the World” with Michael Jackson, performed by USA for Africa.
      • The song raised over $60 million for famine relief in Africa.It won Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

      Album: Dancing on the Ceiling (1986)

      • Hits included:
        • “Say You, Say Me” – Originally from the film White Nights, won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Golden Globe.“Dancing on the Ceiling”“Love Will Conquer All”

      Although not as critically acclaimed as Can’t Slow Down, it was still a major commercial success. Career Slowdown and Personal Challenges (1990s)During the 1990s, Richie faced several personal challenges, including:

      • Divorce and family issuesThe death of his fatherHealth problems

      These events led him to take a step back from the spotlight. His music output slowed during this time, and his popularity declined in the U.S., although he maintained a strong fanbase internationally, especially in Europe and the Middle East. Comeback and Later Career (2000s – Present)Richie made a strong comeback in the early 2000s and has continued to release music and perform worldwide.Notable Albums:

      • Renaissance (2000) – A hit in EuropeComing Home (2006) – Included hits like “I Call It Love”Tuskegee (2012) – A country duets album featuring country stars like Blake Shelton, Shania Twain, and Kenny Chesney. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.

      American Idol and LegacySince 2018, Lionel Richie has served as a judge on “American Idol”, introducing his music and mentoring skills to a new generation of fans.Honors and Awards:

      • Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2022)
      • Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library of Congress (2022)
      • Four Grammy Awards
      • Oscar and Golden Globe winner
      • Selling over 100 million records worldwide Memoir Coming SoonIn September 2025, Lionel Richie is releasing his memoir titled Truly, which reflects on his life, career, and personal experiences over the decades. Final ThoughtsLionel Richie is not just a pop and R&B legend—he is a cultural icon who has influenced music, fashion, philanthropy, and entertainment across generations. From soulful love ballads to joyful anthems, his music continues to resonate around the world.With a career marked by timeless hits, unforgettable collaborations, and heartfelt storytelling, Lionel Richie remains one of the most beloved and enduring figures in popular music history.