Groovin' at PPG Paints Arena with Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire (June 2024)

Father’s Day evening rolled around, and what better way to celebrate than a trip to PPG Paints Arena to catch some legendary tunes from Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire. Now, let me tell ya, this wasn’t your typical Yinzers’ night out at a Steelers game or a Pirates match. Nope, this was a throwback to the golden days of funk, soul, and smooth grooves.

As soon as we walked into the arena, it was pretty clear that the crowd was, let’s say, seasoned. You could tell by the sea of nostalgia-driven T-shirts and the silver hairs that we were in for a night of classic hits. But don’t get me wrong, the energy was electric, and everyone was ready to relive the good ol’ days.

Earth, Wind & Fire kicked things off and, boy, did they get the crowd jumping. They played all the favorites – “September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” and “Let’s Groove.” The band still had that magic, and their infectious rhythms had us all dancing like we were back in the ‘70s. It was impossible not to smile and sing along.

However, after their stellar set, we hit an unexpected snag: an hour-long intermission. Now, I started to wonder if maybe Lionel Richie had dozed off somewhere backstage. I mean, it’s been a few years since he was “Dancing on the Ceiling,” so a nap wouldn’t be totally out of the question. But, we waited patiently, chatting with the folks around us and reminiscing about the good ol’ days of vinyl records and mixtapes.

Finally, the lights dimmed, and the iconic voice of Lionel Richie filled the arena. Any thoughts of naps were instantly forgotten as he launched into many of his classic songs and he could clearly go “All Night Long.” The man’s still got it! He took us on a journey through his greatest hits, from “Hello” to “Easy,” and even threw in some Commodores classics like “Brick House.”

By the time he wrapped things up, it truly felt like we’d been partying all night long. Despite the intermission hiccup, the night was a roaring success. The nostalgia, the tunes, and the good company made for an unforgettable Father’s Day evening.

So here’s to Lionel Richie, Earth, Wind & Fire, and all the Yinzers who turned out to groove to the classics. It was a night that proved age is just a number, and good music is forever timeless. Cheers to more nights like this in the Burgh!