Lionel Richie performed to perhaps one of his most intimate audiences ever in Colombo today (Saturday 11 October)

Clutching undoubtedly the hottest ticket to Colombo’s showbiz event of the decade thousands of people streamed into the Sri Lankan Exhibition and Convention Centre to hear the dulcet tones of legendary entertainer Lionel Richie.
 

 

 

In Sri Lanka on the invitation of the Access Group to perform at their 25th Anniversary Bash, the American crooner belted hit after hit to the delight of the audience of which many were dyed in the wool Lionel Richie fans.
 

 

 

Born Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. This singer, songwriter, musician record producer and actor’s career began in 1968 when he was a member of the musical group Commodores, signed to Mowtown Records. Making his solo debut in 1982 with the album ‘Lionel Richie’ and his number one hit ‘Truly’, Richie has sold more than 100 million records worldwide making him one of the best selling artistes of all time. A four time Grammy Award winner and a Golden Globe winner, Richie was given an overwhelming welcome by his Sri Lankan fans who had come to party all night long, some of whom just stopped short of dancing on the ceiling.

 

 

 

 

The singer bounded on to the stage with  promises of singing all night long but instead performed to a packed convention centre for just under eighty minutes. Performing to an audience of 4000 people, this event may have easily been one of the more intimate audiences he has ever performed to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 65 year old singer revealed no sign of his age during the fast paced evening as he energetically belted hit after hit,  determined to include as many crowd favourites as possible.

He started the evening off with ‘Easy’ followed by ‘Penny Lover’. Looking and sounding as good as he did over 25 years ago when he first came on the music radar, he delivered a high energy set that showcased his trademark balladry with the funkier songs from his Commodore days.

 

 

 

Emcee of the evening Arun Dias Bandaranayake had an easy task of introducing the legendary singer who received wild applause even before he came on stage. Supported by a guitarist and drummer, Lionel warmed up the crowds’ hormonal instincts with love songs such as ‘Penny Lover’, ‘You Are’,  ‘Say you Say Me’, ‘Truly’ and his all time popular hit ‘Hello’.

At any given time all around the auditorium people were getting their groove on as they danced to the pulsating beats while singing along to the classic hits of one of the US’s most successful recording artistes.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During his performance he displayed an easy rapport with the crowd with his amusing banter and ribbing the audience on their dance moves which he said was reminiscent of moves he last saw in Detriot circa 1984.

The crowd went wild when Richie sang one his most popular songs, ‘All Night Long’ which was infused with an energetic salsa jam. The crowd were on their feet boogeying like crazy by this time.
 

 

 

Running from one side of the stage to the other to ensure the crowd all had a good view of him, Richie displayed astonishing levels of agility and energy. With rivulets of perspiration flowing down his face, he kept mopping his brow frequently while chastising the venue for having poor airconditioning! That said, he never noticeably flagged and instead maintained a consistently electrifying performance throughout.
 

 

 

His encore was the classic Commodores hit ‘Brick House’ which he delivered with impressive funkiness.

Now that Lionel Richie’s been and gone, the next international act to entertain Colombo will indeed have a hard act to follow!

 

 

 

 

Text by Tina Edward Gunawardhana

Pics by Manoj Ratnayake