Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire “Sing A Song All Night Long” alongside the entire United Center

Lionel Richie Photos by Andy Argyrakis

On their own, Lionel Richie or Earth, Wind & Fire are considerable concert draws, but combine both on a bill, and it’s a slam dunk of a sell out, at least as far as the United Center was concerned on the “Sing A Song All Night Long” Tour.

That’s because the co-headliners are about as iconic they come, each brilliantly blending pop, rock, R&B and funk with so many collective smashes, it was impossible to keep an accurate count as one rolled right into the next.

Lionel RichieRichie closed out the generous evening with 100 tightly-packed minutes of his own with a golden voice, million dollar smile, slick band and inventive production filling up every inch of the arena.

The recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, current “American Idol” judge and Joliet native tapped into his more than 125 million album-selling catalogue come the ever so appropriate opener, “Hello,” and from there, was off “Running With The Night” down the catwalk.

He continued juggling solo and Commodores’ classics, such as the ballads “Easy,” “Truly,” “Stuck On You” and “Three Times A Lady,” plus the super-charged “Dancing On The Ceiling,” complete with a clever slice of Van Halen’s “Jump,” and the disco mash-up of his group’s “Brick House” and the Ohio Players’ “Fire.”

As if those and the many other radio morsels weren’t enough, Richie offered a rare rendition of the personally co-penned “We Are The World,” sparking a communal sing-a-long and message of unity that still applies today.

Though Lionel could’ve literally gone “All Night Long (All Night),” the “Shining Star” of Earth, Wind & Fire, led by singer Philip Bailey, bassist Verdine White and percussionist/vocalist Ralph Johnson, had just as much to offer throughout an hour of their own.

The front half pumped out the party of “Saturday Nite” and “Serpentine Fire,” though signature slow jams “Keep Your Head To The Sky,” “After The Love Has Gone” and “That’s The Way Of The World” were just as rapturously received.

Lionel RichieEarth, Wind & Fire ended with a fantastic return to the dance floor, generating a gigantic “Boogie Wonderland” before the welcome command of “Let’s Groove” to further encapsulate the jubilant spirit of the set.

Prior to the performance, which marked the Chicago-bred band’s fourth at the United Center since opening in 1994, the longtime line-up was presented with a proclamation signed by Chicago Mayor’s Office that September 21 will officially be Earth, Wind & Fire Day in the Windy City, based of course on the lyric that wound up closing its portion of the unforgettable evening.


For additional information on Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire, visit LionelRichie.com and EarthWindAndFire.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation concerts, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the United Center include Lil Durk (Aug. 11-12); LL Cool J (Aug. 13); Sam Smith (Aug. 15); Chance The Rapper (Aug. 19); Lil Baby (Aug. 24); Arctic Monkeys (Aug. 27); Pearl Jam (Sept. 5 and 7); Eason Chan (Sept. 10); Aerosmith (Sept. 15); 50 Cent (Sept. 16); $uicideboy$ (Sept. 22); Peter Gabriel (Sept. 30); Mana (Oct. 1); Playboi Carti (Oct. 2); Wu-Tang Clan and Nas (Oct. 8); SZA (Oct. 10); Phish (Oct. 13-15); John Mayer (Oct. 18); Joji (Oct. 20); Enhypen (Oct. 22); Queen + Adam Lambert (Oct. 30-31); Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull and Ricky Martin (Nov. 1-2); Depeche Mode (Nov. 13) and Doja Cat (Dec. 13). For additional details, visit UnitedCenter.com.