Biography - Lionel Richie

Published by victor230

Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. was born in Alabama in 1949. Whilst at college in Tuskegee, he joined 'The Commodores', for whom he played the saxophone. After touring for 2 1/2 years with the 'Jackson 5', they were signed to Motown and went on to have 7 number one hits (including his song 'Three Times a Lady').

In 1981, Richie recorded 'Endless Love' with Diana Ross, then achieved his first solo number 1 with 'Truly' from his eponymous album (1982). He gained superstar status with chart toppers 'All Night Long (All Night)' and 'Hello' from his second album, 'Can't Slow Down'. He won the 1984 Grammy for Album of the Year and performed at the Olympic closing ceremony in Los Angeles. In 1985 Richie co-wrote 'We are the World' with Michael Jackson, a charity single which raised millions for famine relief in Africa.He reached the number one spot again, with 'Say You, Say Me', but the public began to tire of his sentimental ballads, and he took a break from the music scene.

After hanging up his microphone for almost a decade, Richie came back and released three more albums 'Louder than Words' (1996), 'Time' (1998) and 'Renaissance' (2001).