He had us at hello…

We already know that Barbados export Rihanna and legendary arena-filling dance duo The Chemical Brothers are confirmed for this year’s Yasalam after-race concerts at the Abu Dhabi F1.

Well the final slice of the entertainment pie is Lionel Richie: the soulful pop-R&B legend will play to Abu Dhabi crowds on Saturday November 26 as part of the 8th edition of the post-F1 concerts. Meanwhile, Rihanna will be playing on Sunday November 27 and the Chemical Brothers will take to the stage on Friday November 25.

This won’t be the first time Richie has performed in the UAE – he delighted crowds at the Dubai Media City Ampitheatre in 2014:

WHY LIONEL IS A LEGEND

He started out in the late-’70s as part of R&B supergroup The Commodores.

Need we remind you of this absolute tune?

Richie played sax and performed some vocals for the group. But, most importantly, he wrote many of their songs.

And it was a song he wrote himself that propelled Richie into solo stardom in 1982 – the heartfelt, cry-your-way-through-break-ups ballad Truly. This song was also responsible for his first solo Grammy:

But of course it will be a simple “Hello” from Richie that will have the crowd on its feet: the 1984 track Hello – and the accompanying so-cheesy-it’s-cool video – remains among the star’s best-loved hits:

Unfortunately, as always, these gigs will remain exclusive to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race ticket holders. Tickets start from Dhs525 for a day and are available at Virgin Megastore, in Etihad Shops and online at YasMarinaCircuit.com.

Here are some words from the man himself…

“‘I love you’ are the corniest three words you’ll ever use, but the whole world is looking for it. “I love you” is never going to go out of style.”

“Fame, money and power do not change you – they only magnify you.”

“My grandmother lived to be 103. She had a great phrase that I use every morning as my mantra: “‘Where are we going now?’”

“Everyone’s on Facebook and Myspace and Yourspace and Theirspace and Twitter and Tweeter. Great, fantastic! But is anybody paying attention?”

“Michael Jackson was the silliest guy I ever met. He liked to trigger attacks of laughter at inappropriate times. He was just funny and silly.”

“I love groupies. How many sensible people would be up at 3am standing outside a hotel window shouting adoration? I wouldn’t. I’d be getting some sleep.”