Review - Lionel Richie at the Frost Amphitheater at Stanford (8/24/19)

Lionel Richie @ Stanford's Frost Amphitheater (Photo: Kevin Keating)

Lionel Richie visited Stanford's Frost Amphitheater last night for the very first time and promised it wouldn't be the last. In truth, it was my first time at the Frost in at least 10 years. And after a fairly intensive renovation, the open bowl amphitheater now features a system of tunnels making for easier access to the lower bowl, and an impressive 'real' stage that can support the lighting and sound rigs larger performers will bring with them. By comparison, the original stage was simply a flat slab of concrete that barely raised off the ground, and now with a partnership between Stanford Live and Goldenvoice, let's hope we continue to see larger acts fill the venue!

Lionel Richie @ Stanford's Frost Amphitheater (Photo: Kevin Keating)

In terms of the legendary Lionel, he was slated to go on at about 7:30pm, long after the venue's doors were opened at 6; but he didn't actually take the stage until about 8:20pm! Without a show opener to entertain the crowd, the near-capacity audience erupted in anticipation when the stage started to billow smoke from a fog machine and Mr. Richie strode through to take his spot at center stage. Always charismatic, Lionel explained up front that if the audience was expecting him to sing all night, that they'd be sorely mistaken... He asked us all to look to the left and right of us, and even behind, and say hello to our neighbors who would be the actual singers tonight -- because Lionel was only going to play the hits, and he expected everyone to sing along.



Lionel's voice sounded great at 70 and besides working his way through his hits, he also threw-in a few favorites from his days with the Commodores, and he closed out his main set with "We Are the World" -- introducing it as a song he did with his dear friend Michael Jackson -- unafraid of still associating himself with Michael even after the renewed controversies from the recent HBO documentary, Leaving Neverland.

Lionel Richie @ Stanford's Frost Amphitheater (Photo: Kevin Keating)

One of the highlights of the show occurred during the introduction to "Endless Love", Lionel's song that was originally recorded as a duet with Diana Ross. Lionel explained that he's been asking Diana for at least 25 years if she'd appear live with him to perform, and that she's always said 'no', but that tonight could be the night that Diana Ross would say 'yes'. With that, he asked the crowd at the Frost to welcome Ms. Diana Ross and gestured to the side of the stage as the crowd literally erupted in cheers and excitement... And as Lionel held his open arms outstretched to the side of the stage, no one appeared... It was a joke, and Lionel turned to exclaim to the audience, 'well, I guess it's not tonight either.'

Lionel Richie @ Stanford's Frost Amphitheater (Photo: Kevin Keating)

Overall, the near 8,000 capacity crowd was on their feet the entire night, singing and dancing to the collection of hits from across Lionel's 50 years in music. Lionel joked with some teenagers in the front row who were there with their parents -- telling them to come back when they're 70 because he'll still be here doing his thing. Contrary to the title of his show closer and sole encore, Lionel closed out the night just before 10pm with "All Night Long (All Night)."

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