Lionel Ritchie Out, Martina McBride In For July 4 Pops Concert

Published July 1, 2011

The Boston Pops may perform all night long, but they probably won’t be playing “All Night Long,” after the announcement that Lionel Ritchie has pulled out of his scheduled July 4 performance with the orchestra.

Ritchie has been placed on vocal rest and had to cancel his appearance.

Have no fear, Pops fans, the iconic Fourth of July concert won’t be without fireworks. Country-singer Martina McBride jumped in to replace Ritchie and Boston-native Michael Chiklis (aka that scary guy from “The Shield”) is still scheduled to perform. Also, there will literally be fireworks.

McBride’s most famous song seems to be, fittingly, “Independence Day,” above.