Legends bringing the hits All Night Long
Five reasons to see Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie on Sunday.
1 She’s No. 1
Carey, who is opening the tour, is the solo artist with the most No. 1 hits in history. Make of that what you will.
2 Still a ‘diva’
The tour follows Carey’s well-publicized New Year’s Eve meltdown. According to a review of an Aug. 19 Madison Square Garden stop, Carey is still forging her own path. The reviewer described the pop vocalist’s set as “confusing” (there were stretches when she didn’t sing); “diva”-ish (members of her entourage came out to give her a touchup; male dancers carried her around on a gilded throne); and yet “charming in its own way” (when she brought her twins Moroccan and Monroe on stage).
3 Ever the pro
The tour was delayed after headliner Richie underwent knee surgery earlier this year (the Vancouver date is rescheduled from April 27). But the 68-year-old appeared spry at the New York show and eager to play. According to a Billboard review of the same MSG show, Richie performed “with much more growling and smirking than one would expect from someone who’s almost 70.”
4 All about the hits
Last year, the Songwriters Hall of Fame awarded Richie its highest honour, the Johnny Mercer Award. No wonder: His catalogue includes All Night Long (All Night), Penny Lover, Hello and Stuck On You — all of which he’s playing on this tour.
5 Brick House
Besides his solo hits, Richie is performing songs from his days The Commodores, including Brick House and, yes, the immortal karaoke standard Three Times a Lady.