Having gained widespread recognition as an original member of Motown group The Commodores, Richie has since come to carve out an incredibly successful solo career.
During the late 1960s, Richie became a prominent member of soul and Motown act The Commodores, performing as the group’s singer and saxophonist. Following the band’s first full-length release, the group were soon picked up by the iconic Motown Records. Having initially supported The Jackson 5, it wasn’t long before The Commodores gained widespread recognition of their own. Enjoying popularity as one of the most popular Motown artists of their time, the very first Commodores records were noted for their funky, upbeat sound. Songs like Brick House, Machine Gun, Rapid Fire, There’s a Song In My Heart and The Assembly Line played an important part in cementing the group’s popularity as a top soul and Motown act.
As one of the most prolific Commodores members, Richie soon began to take up an increasingly prominent role in the group’s songwriting, producing many well-known ballads and love songs including Sail On, Easy, Still and Three Times A Lady. In doing so, Richie was quick to establish himself as one of the most notable Motown singers of his time.
Following the success of his songwriting, it wasn’t long before Richie launched his very own solo career. Bursting onto the scene with his smash-hit Truly, Richie would eventually go on to become one of the most successful singers of the 1980s. During this time, Richie produced some of his most successful material. This included the iconic hit Hello, a song which would prove to be one of his greatest hits. Combined with the song’s instantly recognisable music video, Hello would eventually go on to become a cultural phenomenon. Other highlights of Richie’s musical output during this time include Stuck On You, All Night Long, Running with the Night and Say You, Say Me.
Over the course of his career, Richie has been awarded a number of distinguished awards. This includes a string of American Music Awards, an Academy Award, a BET Award and multiple Grammy Awards. Having continued to build upon his legendary reputation in recent years, Richie has come to collaborate with a number of other notable artists, including Tim McGraw, Michael Jackson, Shania Twain and Willie Nelson.
One of the most successful singer-songwriters ever to have graced the international stages, Lionel Richie has produced some of the greatest hits of the modern music era. Having done so, he remains immensely popular to this day, with many Lionel Richie songs having become ingrained into our collective memories. As such, Richie continues to prove himself as an absolutely stellar musical act.
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