The Commodores, the #89 Artist of the Rock Era

"One of the best groups ever."

"The Commodores had it goin' on."

"They were rich in melody and talent."

"Beautiful music and harmony."

"Music that's good for the soul."

"Songs that were straight from the heart."

"Genuine songs from a truly amazing group."

"I am of a younger generation and can only say that we need this kind of music back to cure the craziness of the world today.  

"These guys gave me beautiful memories in my life and for that I am forever grateful..."

"Awesome group."

This great group formed in 1968 when students at Alabama's Tuskeegee Institute (now University) called themselves the Mighty Mystics and entered a talent contest to impress girls. Saxophonists Lionel Richie and Jimmy Johnson and lead guitarist Thomas McClary of the Mystics later combined with the Jays, which included Andre Callahan (drums), bassist Michael Gilbert, William King on trumpet and Milan Williams (keyboards, trombone and guitar). Their choice of a name was simple--King opened a dictionary and randomly picked a word. "We lucked out", he likes to say, "We almost became 'the Commodes'!"

The group played at fraternity parties on campus and weekends at the Black Forest Inn in Montgomery, Alabama.  The Commodores played cover songs as well as some original material.  Tuskeegee sent the Commodores to New York City to play a benefit at Town Hall.  Businessman and promoter Benny Ashburn saw the group and told them they had great potential. 

The band impressed and members went back to their studies at the Institute.  That summer, they contacted Ashburn, who signed a management contract and whose influence would play a big part in their success.  Ashburn arranged an audition at Small's Paradise in the Harlem section of Manhattan.  

In 1969, Ashburn arranged for an audition with Atlantic Records, and the group recorded an album.

In September, Walter "Clyde" Orange replaced Callahan, who didn't think the group would make it.  Ronald LaPraed (bass and trumpet) replaced Gilbert, who was drafted into the U.S. military along with Johnson.

In 1970, Ashburn set the Commodores up with dates on the European club circuit. Upon returning home, the group performed at the Turntable In New York City, where they were seen by Suzanne de Passe, who was searching for an opening act for the Jackson 5.  The Commodores signed a recording contract with MoWest, a Motown subsidiary created when the label moved from Detroit to Los Angeles, in 1972, though it would be several years before they recorded an album on the label.

The Commodores had dreams of writing their own songs and being big stars.  But the way Motown worked was the label would assign songwriters and producers to work with their new artists.  The group also found out that studio time was a precious commodity, with the Four Tops, the Jackson 5, the Supremes and Gladys Knight & the Pips dominating the facilities.  The Commodores recorded two songs written for them which went nowhere.

 

The band set out on a world tour with the Jackson 5 that eventually lasted three years.  In 1974, the Commodores released the album Machine Gun, a good example of their harder Funk period.  James Anthony Carmichael produced the album, and the chemistry on Machine Gun kept Carmichael with the group until 1982.  The funky instrumental title song was an R&B hit but stopped at #22 overall.

Things began to click, as the Commodores spent the next two years opening for the Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder.  In between, the group released the live album Caught In The Act, which received good airplay.  

 

The following year, they began to soften their sound, as evidenced by their 1975 album Movin' On.  The single "Sweet Love" became their first big hit at #5 overall; it was #2 on the R&B chart.

 

Hot on the Tracks in 1976 became their biggest album to date at #12.  "Just To Be Close To You" continued the momentum, rising to #7 on the Popular chart and leading the way with the R&B crowd. 

In 1976, the Commodores opened for the O'Jays on a tour of the U.S.

 

In 1977, the Commodores released their self-titled album.  "Easy" jumped to #4 overall and was the group's third R&B #1.  The group's sound began to spread around the world, with "Easy" also reaching the Top 10 in the U.K. and New Zealand.  The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.

The album rose to #3, the band's first Top 10 release.  They graduated to a headline act, touring the world, including 85 shows in the U.S.  "Brick House" soared to #2 in New Zealand and #5 in the United States and sold over one million copies.

 

The band released the album Natural High in 1978.  "Three Times A Lady" achieved a triple #1--#1 Popular, #1 Adult Contemporary and #1 R&B and also reached the top in the U.K., Canada and Ireland.  It was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

Natural High reached the Top 10 in the United States, the U.K., Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands and sold over two million copies.    

The title song was a minor hit, a bit underrated at #38. But the unreleased song "Flying High" was better.

The Commodores received a second nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance--Duo, Group or Chorus for the album at the Grammy Awards.  In 1978, the group appeared briefly during the movie Thank God It's Friday.  At the end of the year, they released their Greatest Hits package.

 

The Commodores were one of the most successful recording artists of the period, and they continued a hot streak with the 1979 album Midnight Magic.  The single "Sail On" coasted to #4 overall and was a Top 10 hit on the Adult and R&B charts and a Top 10 song in every major country in the world.  "Sail On" was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group at the Grammy Awards and the entire album was cited in a nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance--Duo, Group or Chorus.  

Midnight Magic also peaked at #3 in the U.S. and sold over 500,000 copies.  "Still"  topped both the Popular and R&B charts and reached #6 on the AC chart in the U.S. and hit #2 in Canada, #3 in Ireland and #4 in the U.K.

The group returned to Platinum status with the album Heroes in 1980, doing so without the benefit of a big hit.  The Commodores received another nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance--Duo, Group or Chorus at the Grammy Awards for the album.  

 

The band's 1981 album In the Pocket also went over the one-million mark in sales.  "Lady (You Bring Me Up)" peaked at #1 in New Zealand and #8 in the United States.  The song was nominated for Best R&B Vocal Performance--Duo, Group or Chorus at the Grammy Awards.

  

 

"Oh No" made it to #3 in Canada and #4 in the U.S.  The Commodores were nominated for Best Inspirational Performance at the Grammy Awards for "Jesus Is Love".

Longtime manager Benjamin Ashburn died of a heart attack on August 17, 1982.  Shortly after, Richie announced he was leaving the group, replaced by Skyler Jett.  The group released the album Commodores 13 in 1983, but it represented a big drop-off in sales.

McClary also left to begin a solo career in 1984, with Sheldon Reynolds taking his place.  J.D. Nicholas joined the group just prior to the recording of the album Nightshift.  The single rose to #1 R&B, #2 AC and #3 overall in the U.S. and reached the Top 10 across the glove.

"Nightshift", which helped the Commodores win their only Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group, led to the album going Gold.

The Commodores switched to Polygram Records and released the album United in 1986.  LaPread left following the release of the album.  Down to four members, the group toured Europe in support of the album.  Reynolds left to join Earth, Wind & Fire in 1987. 

In 1988, the Commodores were dropped from Polygram and Williams left the band in 1989.  The remaining members persevered and have released three albums since.  They continue to tour to enthusiastic audiences.

The 2003 album The Definitive Collection has proven to be the group's best-selling collection, going over the one-million mark.

The Commodores have accumulated 27 career hits, with an impressive 11 of those reaching the Top 10 and three #1's.  On the Adult Contemporary chart, they have scored 14 hits with seven in the Top 10 and one #1.  They have sold over 60 million records.

The group has shown their staying power, long ever Richie left for a solo career.