Lionel Richie, the #42 Artist of the Rock Era, Part One

"All his songs are wonderful."

"He sings from the heart and soul."

"He has recorded some of the most beautiful songs in history."

"Lionel Richie is no mere mortal."

"He is phenomenal."

"A true music legend."

"Lionel Richie is awesome."

"One of the smoothest voices in history."

"I love his music!"

"Lionel is a great songwriter."

"He sings so beautifully."

"His voice is a gift from God and his music soothes the soul...how beautiful is this man."

"What a voice. Lionel Richie is definitely one of my favs."

"He's one of the greatest."

"He had so many hits and lyrics that grab the soul."

Lionel Richie, Jr. was born in Tuskegee, Alabama.  He graduated from Joliet Township High School and received a tennis scholarship to attent Tuskegee Institute.  While on college, Richie formed several groups before co-founding the Commodores.  The group started out as an opening act for the Jackson 5, but soon became superstars with songs such as "Easy", "Three Times A Lady", "Sail On" and "Still".

 

Lionel began collaborating with other artists, writing the #1 classic "Lady" for Kenny Rogers in 1980 and producing Rogers' album Share Your Love in 1981. Richie recorded the song "Endless Love" with Diana Ross for the movie of the same name.  The superstar release achieved a rare triple #1--#1 Adult Contemporary, #1 Popular and #1 R&B, and also went to #1 in Australia and #7 in the U.K.  With nine weeks at #1 in the U.S., it is among The Top 50 Songs of the Rock Era*.  "Endless Love" sold over two million copies in the United States.

Richie scored two nominations in the prestigious Song of the Year category at the Grammy Awards (for "Lady" and "Endless Love").  The success of "Endless Love" paved the way for Richie to leave the Commodores for a solo career.  It earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song and was nominated in the same category at the Golden Globe Awards.

Richie's self-titled debut album, produced by James Michael Carmichael (who oversaw most of the Commodores released) in 1982 sold over four million copies.  "Truly" also went to #1 on both the AC and Popular charts and sold over one million copies.

 

Richie gave Richard Marx his start in the music business singing background vocals on this song.  "Ever session I Ever did with Lionel was a very fun atmosphere," Marx said.  "Lionel is always having fun - no matter what."  "You Are" rose to #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart and #4 overall.

Richie pulled a third big hit when "My Love" also hit #1 on the AC chart for five weeks, #5 Popular and #6 R&B, a big Triple Crown winner.  Friend Kenny Rogers sang backing vocals on the song.

Lionel took his first Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance (after 18 nominations) and was nominated for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album at the American Music Awards.

 

The 1983 album Can't Slow Down continued Lionel's red-hot momentum.  Noted songwriter Cynthia Weil co-wrote the lead single, featuring the fantastic guitar work of Toto's Steve Lukather.  The single "All Night Long (All Night)" topped the chart for four weeks and sold over one million copies.

 

The album has now topped 10 million in sales.  "Running With The Night", again featuring background vocals from Marx, climbed to #7 in the U.S., #8 in the Netherlands and #9 in the U.K.

Richie said this monumental classic came out because "My co-producer (Carmichael) came over to my house while I was at the piano, and I sang, 'Hello, is it me you're looking for?" when he walked in.  "he said, 'Finish it,' even though it wasn't a song."  It is a good thing for Richie's third single from the album, "Hello", proved to be his biggest solo hit.  Another triple #1 in the United States, it also topped charts in the U.K., Australia and the Netherlands and sold over one million copies.

 Richie added a country flavor to his next single release.  "Stuck On You" reached #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart and #3 overall.  Amazingly, it was Richie's seventh #1 Adult hit in eight tries.

Richie scored a fifth huge hit from Can't Slow Down with "Penny Lover", a #1 AC hit that peaked at #8 on the Popular chart.  It was later featured in the 1985 Rob Reiner movie The Sure Thing, which starred John Cusack.

 

The album became just the second in the Rock Era to contain five Top 10 hits after Michael Jackson's Thriller.  Today, there are 25 such albums.  Every single released reached the Top 10, even a rarer feat.  The title song was not released, but should be featured here.

 

"All Night Long" and "Hello" were both nominated for Song of the Year and Can't Slow Down captured Album of the Year honors at the Grammy Awards.  "All Night Long" also chalked up an MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video.  Here is another solid track on the album--"The Only One".

January 28, 1985 was a very busy and landmark day in the life of Lionel Richie.  He sang "Running With The Night" to open the American Music Awards, which he hosted, which meant he had to be there for rehearsals in the morning.  

Richie won American Music Awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, Favorite Pop/Rock Male Video Artist, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Video Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Video and Favorite Soul/R&B Video (both for "Hello").  Lionel was also nominated for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Favorite Black Album, while "All Night Long" was nominated for Favorite Soul/R&B Single at the AMA's. 

After the awards broadcast, Richie and 44 others headed to A&M Recording Studios to record "We Are The World", which Lionel co-wrote with Michael Jackson.  The session did not end until the next morning.

 

Can't Slow Down has gone over 20 million in sales.    "Love Will Find A Way" is another of his career best.

Join us for Part Two for one of the top singer-songwriters of the Rock Era!