Lionel Richie

Every country in the world, I became Lionel Richie all night long.

Joe, it felt like a regular performance, but I had never in my life had the world watching.

So I rehearsed it.

We did it not realizing

It was the world, literally the world, watching.

And go back and look at that little podium.

What was supposed to happen at the beginning of this was Ronald Reagan was supposed to come out and greet, had his speech.

I know I speak on behalf of everyone in America and the entire world how proud we are of these fine athletes.

That was his speech, right?

Because that night there were death threats, they decided it's too risky to have him on the field.

Lionel, would you give the speech on behalf of all of America and the entire world?

Stop me where I am.

Oh, my God.

So before I started singing, I had to make my speech...

I know how proud we are here in America and around the world of these fine athletes.

And now we're going to sing all night long.

But I had to give this thing.

Wow.

And I told him, I said, that was the proud moment after I came off stage.

Before I went on stage was, well, Mr. Reagan's worried about his life.