What’s On profiles Lionel Richie as the soul singer – famous for ‘Hello’, ‘Dancing On The Ceiling’ and ‘All Night Long’ – as he prepares to play Dubai.

A simple “Hello” from Lionel Richie is all it will take to have the crowd on its feet when he performs live in Dubai on April 17 month. The 1984 track – and the accompanying so-cheesy-it’s-cool video – remains among the star’s best-loved hits, although there are rich pickings among a back catalogue that began in his Commodores days in the late 1960s.

From Three Times A Lady to Endless Love, via All Night Long and Dancing On The Ceiling, pop fans can look forward to classic ballads and smooth grooves familiar from every wedding reception you’ve ever been to.

Despite launching his stellar career almost 50 years ago, the 64-year-old grandfather is showing no signs of slowing down, with his most recent album, Tuskegee, reaching No 1 in the American charts.

Richie may still be putting in the hours in the recording studio, but this tour – titled All The Hits, All Night Long – includes all of the fans’ old favourites too.

Here’s 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.”

April 17
Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai Media City, Dubai, 7pm, Dhs295. Metro: Nakheel. platinumlist.net.