Lionel Richie looks forward to performing at King Charles’ upcoming coronation.
After being announced as an artist for the May 7 Coronation Concert with Katy Perry and others, the “All Night Long” singer, 73, had a conversation with PEOPLE during the Breakthrough Awards held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures about what this honor means to her. he did. Los Angeles Saturday night.
“I mean, you don’t get involved and say, ‘You know what? I’m going to be at the king’s coronation.’ You know, that never comes up,” Richie said. “[It’s] a surprise. B, what an honor. And C, the truth of all the names he could get for it, said my name.”
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Pointing out that he has known 74-year-old Charles “for a long time” american idol The judge added, “I really congratulate him on stepping into the role of king now.”
“He’s been in this role of prince for a long time, but now I can’t wait to see what he will change until his reign. That’s why I know him as a great person,” he continued.
When asked what he’s most looking forward to at the spring event, Richie told PEOPLE he’s ready to “see all the lights.”
“Come on, are you kidding me?” said. “I want to see the glory and status because I don’t care what you think Michael Jackson is doing. I don’t care what you think Prince is doing. I don’t care what you think Madonna is doing. Nothing will be like this. This is the glory of glory.”
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Richie was announced as the coronation concert performer earlier this week, less than a month before King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation at Westminster Abbey. Alongside Richie and Perry, 38, Andrea Bocelli, Take That, Sir Bryn Terfel, Freya Ridings and Alexis Ffrench are also featured.
“The concert, with themes of love, respect and optimism, will celebrate a new chapter in the country’s history by celebrating the four nations, their communities and the Commonwealth,” the BBC said in a statement accompanying the announcement. Said.
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The Commodores co-lead singer was previously appointed First Global Ambassador in 2019 and First President of the Global Ambassador Group for The Prince’s Trust. Charles founded the charity in 1976 to fund disadvantaged youth, and the organization states it has worked together ever since. more than one million young people.
As previously reported, BBC Studios Productions is organizing the concert, which will be broadcast in front of a 20,000-person audience from the grounds of Windsor Castle, the public and distinguished guests.
The event will feature “a wide mix of music from pop to classical, as well as oral and dance performances reflecting arts and culture from the UK and the wider Commonwealth,” with more artists “to be announced soon”, the BBC reported. ”
The BBC is also preparing to broadcast the concert on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.