2024-10-21 12:19:00
His last European tour was more than six years ago. In 2025 Lionel Richie will appear again in German cities. In the dpa interview he reveals how good his German is and whether new music is planned.
London/Los Angeles.
The list of his achievements is almost endless. Next year Lionel Richie will once again perform classic songs such as “Hello”, “Dancing On The Roof” and “Easy” from his former band The Commodores on German stages.
The “Say Hello To The Hits” tour will bring the US superstar to five German cities next year. Departure is May 31st in Belfast. “We’ll be back,” says a clearly satisfied Richie in an interview with the German Press Agency in London.
The singer is plugged in from his studio in Los Angeles and lives up to his ’80s hits “All Night Long” and “Running With The Night” – because where he lives it’s 2 in the morning. “This is exactly when I really blossom,” explains the night owl.
“If you want to see Lionel Richie, quite tired, then pick me up at 10, okay? 9, 8: nothing happens for me. But now I’m wide awake. This is my best time.”
First European tour since 2018
When Richie returns to the stage in Europe in 2025, it will have been two years since he was last here. He held a few festivals and outdoor shows, but his last real European tour took place in 2018.
“I can’t believe we’ve been gone for so long,” he says. “At festivals you just see a sea of people and you don’t really feel what people are like. That’s why it will be something very special because concerts in the hall are up close and personal for me.”
When Richie talks about concerts and says he can’t wait to visit every city “from Oberhausen to Berlin”, you believe him. His euphoria is not artificial, but authentic. At 75 he still lives for the stage. “I’m at home on stage.” You can see this for yourself, among other things, in Richie’s live album “Hello from Las Vegas”.
No language barriers at concerts
Despite Richie’s enthusiasm for Germany, he says he has a problem with German. “It’s surprising that my German has gotten worse over the years, even though I can pronounce city names perfectly,” he says, laughing. “You might think I would have learned German by now, but that probably won’t happen again.”
The soul icon finds it “incredible” that German audiences can sing along almost entirely to his English lyrics. “There are places where sometimes I’m not sure for a short time whether I’m in Germany or Atlanta. Is it Chicago?” He laughs. “Because the audience sings every word. Every single word!”
In the world of music for over 50 years
It’s been 50 years since “Machine Gun”, the debut album by his first band, The Commodores, was released. Lionel Richie doesn’t take it for granted that he’s still in business today. “When you have a success, you think it’s going to last forever. But most of the time that’s not the case,” he says. “If you’re lucky, you’ll have one or two songs that stick with you. But if you have a catalog full of hits, it’s the most amazing thing ever.”
Also, as an artist you have to be able to deal with success. “Most artists can’t handle fame, and the first thing that happens is the artist dies and doesn’t experience fame at all,” says Richie, who advises the next generation of pop stars as a judge on “American Idol “. .”
“But I’m lucky either way. I’m still here and the music is still there too. And for me the best thing is when the fans come. That’s my ‘Hallelujah’.”
The tour is like a vacation for Richie
While other stars his age complain about the difficulties of touring, Richie feels exactly the opposite. As long as he performs, he doesn’t need a vacation. “My holiday is that I can book a show in Oberhausen and a concert in Munich,” he says.
“My family constantly asks me, “Dad, when are we going on vacation?” And my response is: “We’re on vacation. Come on tour with me.” I really enjoy it.”
On his “vacation” in Germany in 2025, Lionel Richie will come to Cologne (June 22, Lanxess Arena), Oberhausen (June 24, Rudolf Weber Arena), Hamburg (June 29), Barclays Arena), Berlin (July 3, Uber Arena ) and Munich (9 July, Olympiahalle).
New music is a matter of time
The 75-year-old, who also develops perfumes and designs home accessories, already has other projects planned. His autobiography is expected to be published next year. More than ten years after his last studio album, there is also hope for a new album.
“It’s not out of the question yet,” assures the busy musician. “But everything is moving a little slower. I’m just trying to find a time where I can really focus on it and finish the music.” (dpa)
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