By Patrick Luce Sep 15, 2006, 18:24 GMT
As his new album ‘Coming Home’ arrived in stores this week (featuring the #1 Billboard Adult R&B chart hit “I Call It Love”) singer/songwriter, producer and five-time Grammy award-winning artist Lionel Richie has announced a headlining 4-week North American tour.
Ritchie’s 17-city schedule – in support of The United Way – will open on October 27th at the Music Hall in Detroit, and wrap up at the Paramount in Oakland, CA on November 25th. The theater tour is a perfect spot for the ‘Coming Home’ tour - an intimate setting for Lionel as he performs his legendary solo and Commodores hits ( “All Night Long,” “Dancing On The Ceiling,” “Brickhouse,” “Easy,” and “Zoom” to name a few) along with his new tracks.
“We are thrilled that Lionel Richie’s upcoming concert tour will benefit United Way,” said Brian Gallagher, President and CEO of United Way of America, in a statement. “United Way is committed to making a difference in people’s lives throughout the country. This is a great way for Lionel Richie fans to contribute to the work of United Way, such as ensuring children are ready for school or improving access to healthcare.”
“It’s an honor to be involved with a legendary and vibrant artist such as Lionel Richie,” said Steve Bartels, President, Island Records, COO, Island Def Jam Music Group. “‘Coming Home’ isn’t just bringing back his fans from the early days, it is also attracting a new generation. Fans of all ages will be able to experience Lionel in a special setting on this tour.”
“I Call It Love” (written and produced by Stargate and Taj) is entering its third month as the first single pick from ‘Coming Home.’ The song has won an audience of more than 40 million across six different radio formats – Adult R&B, Adult Contemporary, Pop, Rhythmic Top 40, Urban Mainstream, and Smooth Jazz.
The new album, his long-awaited third album on Island Records, featuring nine songs written/co-written by Richie, is an all-star collaboration with today’s most prolific contemporary hitmakers, including Jermaine Dupri, Raphael Saadiq, Dallas Austin, Sean Garrett, Chuckii Booker, and others.
The video for “I Call It Love,” starring Nicole Richie, was immediately added into rotation at VH1 and BET. Shot in Los Angeles by Jessey Terrero (credits: 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop,” “Outta Control,” more), the video had its explosive world premiere on aolmusic.com on August 15th, where it was played nearly 100,000 times in 24 hours.
Richie’s string of 15 consecutive top 10 R&B hits between 1981 and 1992 (five of which hit #1) – 13 of which were consecutive top 10 pop hits (also including five #1’s) – stands as one of the most enviable achievements in chart history. This #1 is the first at the Adult R&B format.
His countless awards, also including multiple Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, People’s Choice Awards, ASCAP Awards, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, the World Music Lifetime Achievement Award, and more, were capped when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003. Lionel Richie is an artist for the ages.
Lionel Richie North American Tour dates include:
Oct. 27 Detroit, MI Music Hall 29 Chicago, IL Sears Centre 30 Toronto, Ont Roy Thomson HallNov. 3 Washington, D.C. Constitution Hall 4 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Events Center 5 Baltimore, MD Symphony Hall 7 Newark, NJ NJPAC 8 New York, NY Beacon Theatre 10 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena 11 Boston, MA Opera House 12 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theatre 15 Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre 17-18 Charenton, LA Cypress Bayou Casino 19 Sunrise, FL Sinatra Theatre, BankAtlantic Ctr. 24 Los Angeles, CA Kodak Theatre 25 Oakland, CA Paramount
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