Hello Prague! Lionel Richie treats Czech crowd to timeless classics after 13-year absence

One of the highest grossing artists of all time, Lionel Richie brought several decades of global hits to the O2 Arena in Prague, as part of his ‘Say Hello to the Hits’ tour. The 76-year-old soul, pop, and R&B legend returned to Czechia on Sunday for the first time since 2012.

Richie took the stage yesterday evening, foreseeably to the tune of chart-topping single ‘Hello’. In a show that lasted over 2 hours, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer put up a smooth vocal performance, combined with characteristic wit, charm, and earnest delivery.

Remarking to the crowd in Prague, that the world today needs more empathy, Richie introduced the strongest moment of the night - his performance of ‘We Are the World’ – a song he co-wrote with Michael Jackson. The charity single is the 8th best-selling song ever, and at the time of its release in 1985 it included vocals from, amongst others, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, and Bruce Springsteen, who also performed in the Czech capital last month.

The concert brought listeners as far back as the 1970’s and Richie’s time as lead singer of the Commodores, rising to fame with singles like ‘Sail On’ or ‘Three Times a Lady’. His Grammy-winning hit ‘Truly’, and powerful ballad ‘Say You, Say Me’ – Best Original Song at the 1986 Academy Awards – were some of the other highlights on the charged set list.

Faster-paced classics like ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’ or ‘All Night Long’, which concluded the evening, also got the crowd moving. Fans of all ages flocked to the O2 Arena on the night – a testament to Richie’s longevity, and the timelessness of the songs he brought to life in Prague.

The experienced singer travels on to Munich, and will wrap up his European tour on August 2nd in Madrid. Richie is expected to return as judge for the next season of American Idol come the end of this year, a show which he helped revive after a 2-year hiatus in 2018.