The 'Dancing on the ceiling' hitmaker loved wearing towering heels and performing high energy stage routines during his time with the Commodores band, which was at its peak in the 1970s, but he is convinced the footwear caused health issues, reports contactmusic.

He developed knee and hip problems in later life and eventually underwent surgery in 2011.

"Since the Commodore days, we don't wear those big boots anymore because of the knees and the ankles. I think about it now and think, 'What was I doing?!' Every night, on stage, we'd jump from one riser to the floor. Craziness," he said.

"What was I thinking? I have had a little knee problem, but not as bad as all that. Although I did have to have a hip operation three years ago and, honestly, I hardly remember which one it is now because technology is so amazing," he added.