Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer and television personality from Tuskegee, United States. Born in 1949, he first gains prominence in the 1970s as a songwriter and co-lead singer of the Motown group Commodores. With the group, he writes and performs songs including “Easy”, “Sail On”, “Three Times a Lady” and “Still” before leaving to pursue a solo career.

Solo career and major songs

Richie launches his solo career in 1982 with the album Lionel Richie, which sells more than four million copies and includes “You Are”, “My Love” and the number one single “Truly”. His second album, Can’t Slow Down (1983), reaches number one on the US Billboard 200 and sells more than 20 million copies worldwide. It produces the number one singles “All Night Long (All Night)” and “Hello”.

His third album, Dancing on the Ceiling (1986), includes “Say You, Say Me”, which appears in the film White Nights, and the No. 2 title track. After a recording hiatus from 1986 to 1996, he releases seven further studio albums: Louder Than Words, Time, Renaissance, Just for You, Coming Home, Just Go and Tuskegee.

Writing, collaborations and notable releases

In 1980, Richie writes and produces “Lady” for Kenny Rogers, which reaches number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 1981, he writes and produces “Endless Love” with Diana Ross; it becomes one of the top 20 bestselling singles of all time and is a career highlight for both artists. He also co-writes the 1985 charity single “We Are the World” with Michael Jackson. The song sells more than 20 million copies.

Awards and recognition

Richie wins four Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for “We Are the World” and Album of the Year for Can’t Slow Down. “Endless Love” is nominated for an Academy Award, while “Say You, Say Me” wins the Academy Award and the Golden Globe for Best Original Song. He receives the Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016. In 2022, he receives the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library of Congress and the American Music Awards Icon Award, and is inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Later activity

Richie has sold more than 90 million records worldwide and is known for ballads. He also serves as a judge on American Idol from its sixteenth season in 2018. His work spans pop, R&B and related styles, and his studio albums include Tuskegee (2012), which adds to a long solo catalogue.