Lionel Richie, 77, returns to the stage for the first time since shock hospitalization sparked show cancellations

Lionel Richie triumphantly declared 'I'm back!' as he returned to the stage after sparking concerns about his wellbeing his past year. 

Richie faced several health issues this past year, including a hospitalization for atrial fibrillation treatment which prompted the cancellation of several of his concerts. 

But on Wednesday, the legendary All Night Long singer, 77, made his grand return. 

Richie alleviated concerns for his health as he resumed his residency at The Wynn in Los Vegas  where he jumped around on stage and assured the audience he was 'doing just fine.' 

'I don't know where I was, but I'm back!' he declared.

'I'm doing just fine, thank you all so much for caring about me,' the iconic crooner added. 

Richie dedicated last night's show to himself: 'So I want to make it a tribute tonight to me! I've got to make a tribute to myself before somebody else has that show down the street. "Come see Lionel Richie down the street!" 

'Wait a minute, no, no, this is gonna be a whole week of celebrating Lionel Richie!' 

Richie continued to showcase his stamina as he danced around the stage and quipped, 'that was too much.' 

'That was too much, that was beyond my electrolyte capabilities,' he said. 

A crew member than came on stage with an electrolyte-infused beverage, prompting Richie to open up about his health. 

'Now let me tell y’all something - for years I thought that water was important. And then, one day, I got dizzy and I said bring me some water, and the man said, "You don’t need water, you need electrolytes." All these years, drinking water! Electrolytes!' he said. 

'So now I drink electrolytes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and then the doctor told me you need to eat some food. I said, "Well, the last food I ate, the chickens, was contaminated, then the lettuce became contaminated, so what the hell are you supposed to eat?"'

He returned the glass to the crew member before proceeding to play Three Times A Lady. 

'So now that I feel refreshed, I’m gonna play a song.'

Richie had sparked concerns about his health this past year following hospitalizations and cancellation of numerous concerts.  

A representative for Richie revealed in September that the star had been hospitalized and received treatment for atrial fibrillation, which is an irregular heartbeat.

'Lionel underwent a common procedure for Atrial fibrillation (AFib),' a rep for Richie told the Daily Mail.

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

Three of Richie's concerts were cancelled after the procedure.  

In August, the music artist was taken into the ICU in St. Louis after he fell ill following a show in the city.

According to TMZ, the star checked himself into the hospital to have tests done before being treated in the intensive care unit.

It was soon revealed by the outlet that Richie had been tested for 'cardiac-related issues.'

Back in June, the singer also fell on stage mid-performance at Grand Casino Arena in St Paul, Minnesota.

Richie had admitted to feeling 'dizzy' and sat down on the stage amid the performance.

Sources close to the music artist told TMZ at the time he was met by paramedics backstage before being transported to the hospital by ambulance as a precautionary measure.

Richie later broke his silence on the incident and shared at the time that his concert tour would be halted.

'Under advisement by doctors to rest and return to full health, Lionel Richie has postponed his next two shows on Friday, June 26 in Chicago, IL and Saturday, June 27 in Columbus, OH.'

The statement continued, 'He and Earth, Wind & Fire will return to the stage on Tuesday, June 30 in Pittsburgh, PA.

'Lionel is heartbroken to postpone these two shows and cannot wait to be back performing for his fans. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes fans who have tickets for these two shows. Rescheduled dates will be announced soon.'

A source previously told the Daily Mail that loved ones worry that Richie is prioritizing work and performing rather than his own health.

'Family, friends, and even his bandmates are definitely concerned about Lionel's health, but nobody is about to tell him to slow down.'

The insider added, 'They all want him better and to do what he loves to do...'

In September, Richie looked in high spirits as he stepped out for a dinner party in Beverly Hills and held up a double thumbs up to those awaiting nearby.