Lionel Richie used part of his Tuesday night concert in Phoenix to comment on the current co-headlining stadium tour by Usher and Chris Brown, according to Stereogum.
Fan video from Mortgage Matchup Center shows Richie comparing the pair’s tour to the era of The Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire. He joked that while those groups were doing similar things decades ago, the difference was that they “didn’t go to jail,” and he also referred to himself and his peers as “fine Christian men.”
Richie also said that social media has changed the way stories spread, mentioning Instagram and TikTok in his remarks. His comments appeared to be a lighthearted dig at the younger stars rather than a formal criticism.
The Stereogum report noted that Richie is 77 and currently on his own arena tour, while Usher is 47 and Brown is 37. It also pointed out that Richie’s timeline may have been a little off, since he had already left The Commodores and was deep into his solo career 40 years ago.
