LIONEL RICHIE

Lionel Richie, born and raised in Tuskegee, Alabama, is a singer, songwriter, musician and producer who has sold over 100 million records (this is both solo and as a part of the Commodores).

Richie joined the Commodores a singer and saxophonist in 1968. During Richie's tenure, the band had several hits, most notably "Brick House," "Easy," "Three Times a Lady," "Still," "Lady (You Bring Me Up)" and "Sail On." Richie was also honing his skills as a songwriter, arranger and producer, during the late seventies and this culminated in the huge 1980 hit, "Lady," for his lifelong friend, Kenny Rogers.

The next year, Richie wrote and recorded another smash single, "Endless Love," from the film of the same name. This duet with Diana Ross became one of the biggest hits of her career and was the second highest selling single of the year (behind ONJ's "Physical"). "Endless Love" was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and won the 1982 American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Single. The success of the song made Richie feel like he could do well a solo artist.

Ritchie's debut album, Lionel Richie was released in 1982 and was an instant hit.  It produced several hit singles:"Truly" (#1),  "You Are" (#4), and "My Love" (#5). However, the big hits were yet to come.

Richie's second album, Can't Slow Down, was a smash. It was Billboard's number one album for four weeks, spent 59 consecutive weeks inside the Top 10 (including the entire year of 1984), went on to win a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1985 and sold over 20 million copies globally. Plus, all five singles from the album hit the Billboard Top Ten: "Penny Lover" (#8), "Running With the Night" (#7), "Stuck on You" (#3), and the two songs, "Hello" and "All Night Long" both went to #1 . "Stuck on You" was also a big hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

1985 was another successful year for Lionel Richie. He wrote and performed, "Say You, Say Me," the theme to the film White Nights. The song was number one on the charts for four weeks, and earned Richie an Academy Award. He also wrote "We Are the World" with Michael Jackson, to be performed by USA for Africa; another #1 hit, raising over $60 million for charity.

Richie released Dancing on the Ceiling in 1986 and although not as popular as Can't Slow Down, it was the top-selling LP for three weeks, and produced two more hit singles:"Dancing on the Ceiling" (#2), "Ballerina Girl" (#7). This was the end of Richie's hit streak in the eighties, as he retreated from the limelight due to exhaustion and to take care of his ailing father.

The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. - Psalm 29:11