New Delhi, Sept. 23 -- The phone calls went out to thousands of ticket-holders Monday morning. Lionel Richie, 77, would not be taking the stage in San Francisco this Friday. Or Chicago the following Tuesday. Or Columbus four days after that.

"The doctor said everything went perfectly. Lionel is doing great but will take some time off and will be back onstage soon."

The canceled dates include the Chase Center in San Francisco on September 26, the United Center in Chicago on September 30, and the Schottenstein Center in Columbus on October 2, all part of the "Sing a Song All Night Long Tour," the co-headlining run Richie has been mounting with Earth, Wind & Fire since spring. Ticket-holders are being directed to their point of purchase fo...