It's time to dance on the ceiling. Lionel Richie hits South Africa in November.

The classic crooner plays Absa Stadium in Durban on 25 November, and the Coca Cola Dome, Johannesburg on 27 and 28 November. Richie has set aside 22 November 2008 to perform in Cape Town, the details of which will be released in due course.

"Simplicity," Richie explains, "is the key to what I do."

These are surprising words from an artist whose achievements have been anything but simple. He is, after all, one of the world's most recognised and rewarded performers.

He's sold nearly 100 million albums and is the biggest selling R&B artists in South Africa with over one million records sold, notching up 22 Top 10 singles, including hits like 'All Night Long', 'Hello' and the Commodores' 'Easy'. His trophy collection includes five Grammy Awards, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and not to mention piles of American Music and People's Choice awards.

"I want to find the simplest phrase that everybody says, no matter what language you speak."

Richie's perspective is a product of nearly four decades of making music, since he co-founded the Commodores in 1967 at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Signed in 1971 to Motown, The Commodores became one of America's most popular bands by the mid-'70s.

Richie began stepping outside the Commodores after producing Kenny Rogers' album 'Share Your Love' in 1981, which spawned the hit 'Lady'. 'Endless Love', his 1981 chart-topping duet with Diana Ross was Motown's most successful single and further fueled Richie's solo ambitions.

After leaving the Commodores, Richie became one of the most successful male solo artists of the '80s. Following the release of his 1982 eponymous debut, the first single, 'Truly', went straight to No. 1 and the subsequent single, 'You Are', raced quickly into the Top 10. His next album, 'Can't Slow Down', soared even higher. Sitting at No. 1 for two months, the record featured the two gold singles, 'Hello' and 'All Night Long', as well as three other Top 10 cuts.

Richie performed and co-wrote (with Michael Jackson) the USA For Africa benefit single 'We Are The World', which went No. 1 in 1985 and raised millions for famine relief. Later that year he was No. 1 again with 'Say You, Say Me', a song also earning Richie his first Academy Award for Best Original Song from the film 'White Nights'.

Following the release of 1985's No. 1 album, 'Dancing On The Ceiling', Richie decided to go on an indefinite hiatus. Eventually, he would return with 1996's gold certified 'Louder Than Words', 1998's 'Time' as well as a tour with Tina Turner, and his 2001 CD, 'Renaissance'. The year 2003 brought the release of the 'Encore' and he performed a sold-out world tour in support of his 2004 release 'Just For You'.

Richie is incredibly excited about this long overdue visit to South Africa and reflected that his latest studio album, 'Coming Home', is a metaphor for this much anticipated tour.

"Africa holds a special place for me and I am anxious to come home and give something back to all the fans that have supported me and my music over the years."

Cape Town fans who wish to be first in line for tickets once sales open can register their details online at www.kfm.co.za. Just as soon as the announcements are made regarding specific dates and venues these will be processed on a first-come-first served basis.

Tickets are available from Computicket on 083 915 8000, www.computicket.com and outlets countrywide.

Itinerary

22 November
Venue to be confirmed, Cape Town

25 November
ABSA Stadium, Durban
Tickets R175 to R475 (excluding service charges)

27 and 28 November
The Coca Cola Dome, Johannesburg
Tickets R275 to R900 (excluding service charges)