Doubters be damned - Lionel Richie was just brilliant in Cork

Now of course sales and talent are not always proportionate, and there's plenty of singers with similar numbers that deserve all the derision they get, but we're talking about an original Motown artist here.

I see it all the time. In my vinyl DJing days, my delight at picking up a Lionel Richie album for two quid was met with loud guffaws by my flatmates - one in particular, who later that week was dancing front and centre during my last tune of the night - 'All Night Long'. You know who you are*.

Of course, Lionel takes this perception of him in his stride, laughing off and even joining in with all the 'Hello' parodies and whatnot (aided no doubt by a healthy bank balance), but I've always found that reputation ill-deserved.

Hello @glastofest! Is it...it is almost time for me to perform #allthehits #allnightlong! 1 week! #AllNightLongEurope pic.twitter.com/viBLUeToY1

— Lionel Richie (@LionelRichie) June 21, 2015

So when friends raised their eyebrows and said "Lionel Richie? Why are you going to that?" the obvious response was "Why wouldn't I be going to that?!?"

It certainly started at a fair pace, with 80s classic Runnin' With The Night -and the almost-capacity crowd greeted it with gusto.

Here we go @LionelRichie #LATM15 pic.twitter.com/cVyNMvqqIj

— Stephen Ryan (@MarketingInCork) June 27, 2015

Now, the guy has a back catalogue to die for, but if you have a look at it, it's not that upbeat - and there was quite a few mid-tempo songs to follow.

But whatever initial disappointment there may have been that the initial euphoria wasn't maintained, it quickly dissipated. He knows how to keep that party atmosphere going, shouting out: "Cork! Cork is in the house!" and "It may be rainin' outside, but it's gonna get hot in here!" halfway through the second song, Dream Lover.

And so began a series of interactions with what was a very willing crowd. The guy is a master at working the crowd, showing an energy and enthusiasm that belied every one of his 66 years (ZZ Top - take note). His voice was in tip-top shape too.

'All the Hits All Night Long - Live in Europe' tour starts 6/19!
Tix: http://t.co/USalXFOovy #AllNightLongEuropehttps://t.co/NOoXstHRmL

— Lionel Richie (@LionelRichie) June 17, 2015

He even managed to inject some energy into the Daddy of all do-nothing anthems, Easy (Like Sunday Mornin'), courtesy of a little mid-song reggae interlude.

LIVE on #Periscope: Lionel Richie live in cork
https://t.co/EksZ2PUBbl

— Claire Moran (@claire_moran_) June 27, 2015

I was looking forward to the dancier tunes - I wasn't going to get my wish with 'Ballerina Girl', but the considerable amount of swaying couples didn't mind.

Thanks @LionelRichie for playing #ballerinagirl it was our 1st dance song at our wedding 7yrs & 1wk ago today #LATM15 pic.twitter.com/Ih1uQamocm

— Stephen Ryan (@MarketingInCork) June 27, 2015

The romantic vibe continued with Three Times A Lady, but disaster - his mic wasn't working. Not to worry, the crowd sang the lyrics as loud as any speaker could.

And when it was restored, just as he started to sing "...I looo-oove yooou...", it was just so perfect, you'd wonder if it was deliberate!

The funky disco workout of Brick House failed to thrill most of the crowd except yours truly. The patrons near me were wise enough to give me the space required for my dancing and well as their personal safety.

He was going through his Commodores material at a fair old pace now, including an upbeat interpretation of 'Sail On'.

@LionelRichie rocked #LATM15 All Night Long pic.twitter.com/6UqJlBP4WO

— Alan Walsh (@Dingero) June 27, 2015

Then came one of many conversations with the fans, when, with some flourish, he announced: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Diana Ross!" We weren't fooled for a second, but it was funny, and he assured us that although the Queen Diva wasn't Leeside tonight, it didn't matter, because he had "3,500 Diana Rosses right here!"

You can guess what came next - he sung his part of 'Endless Love' and we sung as Diana Ross. It was magic.

Another slowie came next, 'Say You, Say Me', and a rapturous applause followed - a tribute to man himself rather than that song in particular, I thought.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Irish Examiner (@irish_examiner)

So when he asked everyone in the seats who wasn't already standing to stand up, they really didn't need much encouragement.

"Are we gonna dance on the floor?!?" - Well, not if we can help it.

And so followed Dancing on the Ceiling - the high point of the night. We just went crazy for it.

"You guys are outa control!". That was fine with us.

Now, to take it back a bit, on the way into the gig, my taxi driver assured us that Lionel Richie had once played a gig for Frank Lampard, and after some negative reaction, vowed never to play 'Hello' again. It sounded legit, even vaguely familiar.

But Richie had earlier promised us to play "everything - and in between, we'll play ...everything!" - and true to his word, those familiar opening notes of 'Hello' appeared. Memories of school discos came flooding back, and scorn if you will, but this grizzled old concert vet had a serious lump in his throat.

It didn't last long though, as soon it was time for my tune of choice. When 'All Night Long' began, the shout of "Everybody Dance!" was welcome, but wonderfully redundant. The seated crowd were still anything but, and we were in full-on party mode again.

He bid Cork a goodnight to rapturous applause, but the music was barely over before the initially perplexing sight of a group of children arriving on stage came into view.

As it turned out, it was a choir from the nearby Montfort College.

Lionel Richie does We Are The World with local Cork choir from Montfort College, huge kudos for that#LATM15 #fairplay pic.twitter.com/0w733Mim5K

— Hairy Baby Irish T-Shirts (@HairyBabyTees) June 27, 2015

Well played, Lionel. They did us proud.

And sure look-it, even if the rendition of 'We Are The World' perhaps didn't quite hit the heights one might have liked, it didn't tarnish what was a special night at the Marquee.

The crowd may have been on the mature side, but we came to party and gave Lionel Richie every bit as much passion as he gave us. The young 'uns at Ellie Goulding gig were plenty loud - but I'd say the crowd tonight was, at its height, even louder.

I'm sure there were a few people dragged along by spouses and such who weren't believers. They sure as hell believe now.

Lionel Richie is not just an internet meme. He's not that father of Nicole Richie that sings (well, he is, but you know what I mean). He's a soul survivor and a top-notch entertainer. And he showed that to the people of Cork in some style.

The crusade continues.

(* Brian Mulcahy. It was BRIAN MULCAHY.)