Legendary singer and songwriter Lionel Richie faced a tumultuous reception during the launch of his memoir, “Truly,” at the Town Hall in Manhattan on September 29.
Despite clear indications that the event would be a discussion rather than a concert, some fans were disappointed and let their frustrations be known.
Richie, in a conversation moderated by newscaster Robin Roberts, reflected on his upbringing in Tuskegee, Alabama, his songwriting journey, and experiences with racism in the music industry, but he did not perform any songs.
Ticket prices for the event were high, with some fans paying upwards of $700, leading to heightened expectations for a musical performance.
However, the Town Hall website and Richie’s own site included disclaimers informing attendees that there would be no music, describing the event as a “conversation with friends.”
Many fans who purchased tickets through resale platforms like StubHub might not have seen these notices, resulting in widespread confusion.
Tension was palpable as the audience entered the theater, with empty seats noticeable in the back rows.
Richie was greeted with applause upon taking the stage but quickly encountered heckling.
“We want to hear you sing!” shouted one impatient attendee.
Richie addressed the crowd directly, stating, “The good news is I’m here. The bad news is there is not a piano, a band, a crew, a lighting source, so for all of you that came to hear me sing: You’re in the wrong place.”
This attempt at clarification led to boos and jeers from dissatisfied audience members as some chose to leave the theater in frustration.
Despite the adversities, Richie attempted to share anecdotes from his prolific career.
One attendee yelled, “Shut up and sing!” in response to his storytelling.
Richie maintained his composure, quipping, “I’ve been in the business a long time, and there are assholes everywhere.”
As the situation escalated, one disgruntled fan passed Richie a rude note scrawled on the back cover of his book, while another threw his copy onto the stage.
Amidst the chaos, those who remained were treated to an engaging discussion rich with insights into Richie’s career.
He shared humorous tales from his time living in Harlem, including a funny incident of recovering stolen equipment by negotiating with local thieves.
Additionally, Richie demonstrated his sense of humor by mimicking Stevie Wonder imitating Bob Dylan during the recording of the charity anthem “We Are the World.”
He also touched on the racial biases he encountered in the music industry, where he was told, “Black people only do funky stuff,” leading him to write “Three Times a Lady” as a rebuttal.
Unfortunately, the inspiring discussion was frequently disrupted by noise from the lobby, as patrons expressed their dissent.
Throughout the challenging evening, Richie remained patient, continually steering the conversation back to the themes within his memoir.
As he concluded the night, he offered words of wisdom reflecting on success: “Love is the answer to success.”
Fans interested in Richie’s book tour and upcoming dates can visit lionelrichie.com for more information.
image source from：amsterdamnews
