European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 31, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                With Gul Thrift Carlos bios provide All around fun on his outrageous  at right  Ulanee on we calling in the show t final number. Lionel Richie can t slow Down Story and photos by Anita Gosch staff writer outrageous i that s what Lionel Richie Calls his world Lour a massive ire that began in the United slates in september and is now winding through Europe. That s also whal the 37-year-Ojd Singer songwriter Calls his stage show and it s How he describes his audience. It s so funny la Walch the crowd and Haw they perceive me Richie said in a Brief meet the press session minutes before his concert last week in Stuttgart s Schleye Halle. People come in everything from suits and lies and glamorous evening gowns to thus jeans to the United slates some even coma in Cowboy  the 7,000-plus crowd in Stuttgart might not have been As outrageous As in America but Richie s show certainly was. From the opening bars of hello to the closing notes of dancing on the ceiling the concert was a grand spectacular the likes of which is no often seen in Europe. A reported $1.5 million went into the production of the show which comes Camplen with a six piece Hydraulic powered stage that tilts and swivels and rises some 20 Leet into the air. Row of speakers suspended in Semi circles irom the ceiling provide a sound As Clear and Rich As lion a horns stereo and leave an unobstructed View of the Saga from All sides. The Light show alone with its choreographed spots is very nearly Worth the i ice of the concert ticket the show opens with the stage shrouded in Neslad haunting ethereal sounds i the concert Hall a Black grand piano rises slowly irom the stage Moor illuminated by an eerie fluorescent Light. Suddenly the Hood snaps up. Invisible lingers play the opening bars to Richie s hello. Out of nowhere a plaintive voice Calls. Hello is it me you re looking Lor Lionel Richie appears on stage looking resplendent m a spangled White suit with electric Blue trim promising to play until the next morning the Singer bursts into the rocking All night Long. Richie s show follows the something Tor everyone musical formal of his Solo a Burns. For the ladies and the lovers in the audience there s a set of his Heartfelt ballads truly endless love lady love will conquer All and his recent hit sax you say a. For the reggae lans there s be la and for the dancers Don f Stop and tonight will be All right there Are even tunes for the commodores fans the Funky Brick Hruse and the ballads easy. Sail on and three times a lady. Variety is what keeps you going said Richie during the press conference and it keeps me irom gelling  boredom is the last thing that comes to mind during Richie s concert. Throughout the show to Lithe Singer and his seven musicians use me entire wide open stage to dance to the pop t ambers and two Slep to the Funky tunes. Ii seems Rich gets so worked up he ust can t slow Down. Keep it come keep it going he gasps Between songs and the crowd is ecstatic Aller Only o Hall hour. The fans Rise far a standing ovation. Voung girls shriek with pleasure and loss Flowers onto the Stago. Later when Richie urges the fans to get up off their Teet to keep their behinds from dying there s no stopping them they hop onto their chairs and dance. Highlight of the shot is Ivill Sou doubt to final song Richie s smash hit dancing on the ceiling just As