Lionel Richie Is Coming Back To Budapest!

Lionel Richie, the legendary American singer-songwriter, is set to make a triumphant return to Budapest after nearly two decades. As part of his “Say Hello to the Hits” European tour, Richie will perform at the MVM Dome on July 17, 2025, offering foreign tourists visiting Hungary a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the icon live in action.

With a career spanning over half a century, Lionel Richie has established himself as one of the most successful artists in pop music history. The 75-year-old musician has won four Grammy Awards, an Oscar, and a Golden Globe, while selling over 125 million records worldwide. His timeless classics, such as “Say You, Say Me,” “Dancing on the Ceiling,” “All Night Long (All Night),” “Endless Love,” “Lady,” “Hello,” “Penny Lover,” “Truly,” and “Stuck on You,” have become anthems for generations. Richie also co-wrote the historic hit “We Are the World” with Michael Jackson, cementing his place in music history.

The “Say Hello to the Hits” tour, which will showcase Richie’s greatest hits, is set to kick off in Belfast on May 31, 2025. The tour will span 16 countries and include 27 concerts, concluding in Madrid on August 2. Known for his velvety singing voice and ability to connect with audiences across generations, Richie’s performances are masterclasses in both nostalgia and energy. The tour promises to be a magical tribute to Richie’s lasting legacy as one of the greatest songwriters, performers, and cultural icons of our time.

Born Lionel Brockman Richie Junior on June 20, 1949, the singer grew up in the small town of Tuskegee, Alabama. After completing his university studies, he worked as an engineer and later as a minister, which introduced him to the exciting world of soul and gospel music. In 1967, he formed a band with his friends, initially called the Mystics and later renamed the Commodores.

The Commodores enjoyed success throughout the 1970s, releasing hit songs like “Easy,” “Sail On,” “Still,” and “Three Times A Lady.” In the early 1980s, Richie began collaborating with other artists, co-writing the chart-topping song “Lady” with Kenny Rogers and the duet “Endless Love” with Diana Ross, which became the most successful single for Motown Records. Encouraged by these successes, Richie decided to embark on a solo career and left the Commodores.

Richie’s self-titled debut solo album, released in 1982, sold over four million copies. His follow-up album, “Can’t Slow Down,” featured the hits “Hello” and “All Night Long” and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. In 1984, he performed at the closing ceremony of the Los Angeles Olympics, and the following year, he co-wrote “We Are the World” with Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones to raise funds for famine relief in Africa. His 1985 album “Dancing on the Ceiling” included the song “Say You, Say Me,” which won both a Golden Globe and an Oscar for its feature in the film “White Nights.”

Throughout his illustrious career, Richie has been honored with numerous accolades. In 2017, he received the Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime achievement, and in 2022, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The same year, he received the American Music Awards Icon Award and the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

Foreign tourists visiting Hungary in July 2025 should not miss the opportunity to experience Lionel Richie’s unforgettable performance at the MVM Dome in Budapest. This concert promises to be a highlight of the European summer, celebrating the enduring legacy of one of music’s greatest icons.

Image source: Lionel Richie Facebook page