Lionel Ritchie as a student at Tuskegee formed a numerous R&B groups. It wasn’t until 1968 he became a singer and saxophonist with the Commodores. The group originally signed with Atlantic Records and later moved on to Motown Records initially as a support act to The Jackson 5.
The Commodores were an established soul group releasing several albums with danceable, funky sound, with hits like “Machine Gun” and “Brick House.” Richie began to write and sang more romantic, easy-listening ballads such as “Easy,” “Three Times a Lady,” “Still,” and the breakup ballad “Sail On.”
The former front man for the Commodores made his solo debut in 1982 with the album Lionel Richie and the number-one hit “Truly” launched his career as one of the most successful balladeers of the 1980s.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIONEL RITCHIE
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