Lionel Richie leaves 20,000 fans enraged after canceling his Madison Square Garden show one hour AFTER it was due to start

Lionel Richie left 20,000 fans enraged and disappointed after canceling his sold-out Madison Square Garden show one hour after it was due to start.

The soul singer, 74, was set to star alongside Earth Wind & Fire on Saturday night – but they abandoned the show when fans were already in their seats and waiting for the performance.

Richie blamed it on the ‘severe weather’ – which meant he couldn’t land in New York. 

The All Night Long vocalist had been performing his Sing A Song All Night Long tour in Boston the night before – which is a four hour drive from the Big Apple.

Instead of an apology, Richie just said he was ‘bummed’ he couldn’t be there.

At 8.31pm, an hour after he was already meant to be on stage, Lionel Richie wrote: ‘Due to severe weather and being unable to land in the NY and surrounding areas, I’m unable to make it to the show tonight. I’m so bummed. 

‘We are rescheduling the show to Monday Aug 14. Can’t wait to perform for you all. Tickets for tonight’s show are valid for the show on Monday.’

Tickets for Richie’s show on Monday in the front section are on sale for over $500.

There were thunderstorms and torrential rain across New York City – but these weather fronts did not hit until the early hours of Sunday morning, at which point Richie’s concert would have ended.  

The cancelation left thousands of people furious – who pointed out there would have been other ways for the singer to get to New York without flying. 

Fans were recorded booing inside the iconic NYC venue when the announcement was made. Many had made long journeys to watch Richie at MSG. 

A couple said they flew across the Atlantic just for the show – and were completely disappointed by Richie’s cancellation: ‘We flew from Ireland and sat in MSG tonight for two hours. 

‘Heartbroken, please can you confirm Earth Wind and Fire will play on Monday for the rescheduled concert.’ 

Another furious fan said: ‘After spending $1000 on two VIP tickets on a weekend, I am hoping we get a refund. Monday is not an option. 

‘We also spent $500 on a hotel and also spent another several hundred dollars on food in the area. What a huge bummer for my birthday!!!! Ugh.’

One fuming fan wrote: ‘I CALL BULLS**T! YOU PLAYED IN BOSTON LAST NIGHT. 1.5 Hours by Air to NYC, 4 Hours by bus. 

‘THERE WERE NO CANCELLATIONS EARLIER TODAY, YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN NYC BY 2 PM THE LATEST. THANKS FOR WASTING OUR TIME & MONEY FOR YOUR NO-SHOW!’ 

The All Night Long vocalist had been performing his Sing A Song All Night Long tour in Boston the night before – which is a four hour drive from the Big Apple

Verdine White, Philip Bailey, and Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind & Fire perform in Toronto, Ontario

Another added: ‘Damn fans are pissed they didn’t find out until they were already in their seats.’ 

And a third said: ‘This is why you have contingency plans. Could have driven from Boston. Earth Wind and Fire made it no problem. 

’20k fans made it too. Your staff made you look bad.’ 

One woman said that she flew her elderly mother into New York for a birthday surprise. Now, they won’t be able to attend the rescheduled concert.

They said: ‘Flew into NYC with my mother for her 75th birthday, she want to see you for the occasion. 

‘Monday Aug 14 won’t work for us as we fly home. So no concert on the milestone birthday. Quite disappointed in this.’