It’s a marriage made in pop/soul heaven as Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire kick off their North American tour in St. Paul on June 24 at Grand Casino Arena.
It’s the second time the two Rock & Roll Hall of Famer artists will have opened their tour in St. Paul. They did so in 2023, as well.
That was the last time that Richie, formerly of the Commodores and a longtime judge on “American Idol,” performed in the Twin Cities. Disappointingly, Richie and EWF did not collaborate on any songs that night on their Sing a Song All Night Long Tour.
Earth, Wind & Fire, which still features three original members, entertained last summer at the Ledge Amphitheater in Waite Park. Founding bassist Verdine White was not there reportedly because of a medical procedure, but he and vocalist Philip Bailey and vocalist/percussionist Ralph Johnson are still on board from the original lineup.
One of the biggest bands of the 1970s, Earth, Wind & Fire is known for ballads like “Reasons” and “That’s the Way of the World” as well as dance-floor favorites “Boogie Wonderland” and “Let’s Groove.”
Similarly, Richie has triumphed with such ballads as “Hello” and the Oscar-winning “Say You, Say Me” as well as the upbeat “Dancing on the Ceiling” and “All Night Long (All Night).”
A presale for Citi card members will begin at 10 a.m. Jan. 27, while general on sale begins at 10 a.m. Jan. 30, at livenation.com. No prices have been announced yet.
