Personalities | Lionel Richie | Eighties | Rock

(Vocals, b. 1949)

Alabama-born Richie was in several R&B bands before he signed to Motown with The Commodores. He penned and sang most of their biggest hits like ‘Easy’, ‘Three Times A Lady’ and ‘Still’, all massive smashes during the 1970s. He branched out with Diana Ross on 1981’s ‘Endless Love’. He then went solo and his skill as a balladeer served him well. His first, self-titled album yielded a trio of hits, including the American chart-topper ‘Truly’. But that was as nothing to 1983’s Can’t Slow Down, which poured forth five US Top 10s, including the Latin-flavoured dancefloor favourite ‘All Night Long’, and Richie’s only UK No. 1, the tear-jerking ballad ‘Hello’. In 1985, he won an Oscar for ‘Say You, Say Me’, but after 1986’s Dancing On The Ceiling he released very little. Nevertheless, he will always be remembered for his timeless slowies.

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Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley

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