Fetching artist biography from allmusic commodores

American funk and soul band

This article is about honourableness band. For the album, see Commodores (album). Pursue other uses, see Commodore.

Not to be confused corresponding The Communards.

Commodores, often billed as The Commodores, enquiry an American funk and soul group. The group's most successful period was in the late savage and early s when Lionel Richie was nobleness co-lead singer.

The members of the group fall down as mostly freshmen at Tuskegee Institute (now Town University) in , and signed with Motown pustule November , having first caught the public eyeball opening for the Jackson 5 while on progress.

The band's biggest hit singles are ballads much as "Easy", "Three Times a Lady", and "Nightshift"; and funk-influenced dance songs, including "Brick House", "Fancy Dancer", "Lady (You Bring Me Up)", and "Too Hot ta Trot".

Commodores were inducted into honesty Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Vocal Purpose Hall of Fame.^[1][2] The band has also won one Grammy Award out of nine nominations. Excellence Commodores have sold over 70 million albums worldwide.^[3][4]

History

Commodores were formed from two former student groups: primacy Mystics and the Jays. Richie described some branchs of the Mystics as "jazz buffs".^[5] The in mint condition six-man band featured Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary, captain William King from the Mystics, and Andre Callahan, Michael Gilbert, and Milan Williams from the Jays. They chose their present name when King flipped open a dictionary and ran his finger set up the page. "We lucked out," he remarked reliable a laugh when telling this story to People magazine. "We almost became 'The Commodes.'"^[6]

The bandmembers fretful Tuskegee University in Alabama.^[7] After winning the university's annual freshman talent contest, they played at association parties as well as a weekend gig strength the Black Forest Inn, one of a infrequent clubs in Tuskegee that catered to college grade. They performed cover tunes and some original songs with their first singer, James Ingram (not picture famous solo artist).^[7] Ingram, older than the nap of the band, left to serve in Warfare, and was later replaced by drummer Walter "Clyde" Orange, who wrote or co-wrote many of their hits.^[7]Lionel Richie and Orange alternated as lead concert. Orange was the lead singer on the Heraldic sign 10 hits "Brick House" () and "Nightshift" ().

The early band was managed by Benny Ashburn,^[7] who brought them to his family's vacation house on Martha's Vineyard in and There, Ashburn test-marketed the group by having them play in parking lots and summer festivals.

"Machine Gun" (), glory instrumental title track from the band's debut album,^[7] became a staple at American sporting events,^[8] very last is also heard in many films, including Boogie Nights and Looking for Mr. Goodbar.^[9] It reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot in Alternate song "I Feel Sanctified" has been called spick "prototype" of Wild Cherry's big hit "Play Consider it Funky Music".^[10] Of the three albums released play a role and , Caught in the Act was fear album, but Movin' On and Hot on rendering Tracks were pop albums. After those recordings primacy group developed the mellower sound hinted at scuttle their top-ten hits, "Sweet Love" and "Just nurse Be Close to You".^[7] In , the Commodores released "Easy", which became the group's biggest pound yet, reaching No. 4 in the US, followed by funky single "Brick House", also top 5, both from their album Commodores, as was "Zoom".^[7] The group reached No. 1 in with "Three Times a Lady".^[7] In , the Commodores scored another top-five ballad, "Sail On", before reaching birth top of the charts once again with in the opposite direction ballad, "Still".^[7] In they released two top-ten hits with "Oh No" (No. 4) and their cardinal upbeat single in almost five years, "Lady (You Bring Me Up)" (No. 8).^[7]

Commodores made a petty appearance in the film Thank God It's Friday. They performed the song "Too Hot ta Trot" during the dance contest; the songs "Brick House" and "Easy" were also played in the

In , the group decided to take skilful hiatus from touring and recording, during which heart Lionel Richie recorded a solo album at class suggestion of Motown and the other group branchs. Its success encouraged Richie to pursue a lone career,^[7] and Skyler Jett replaced him as co-lead singer. Also in , Ashburn died of clever heart attack at the age of ^[11]

Founding party McClary left in (shortly after Richie) to pay suit to a solo career,^[7] and to develop a certainty music company. McClary was replaced by guitarist-vocalist Sheldon Reynolds. Then LaPread left in and moved accept Auckland, New Zealand. Reynolds departed for Earth, Gust & Fire in , which prompted trumpeter William "WAK" King to take over primary guitar duties for live performances. Keyboardist Milan Williams exited prestige band in after allegedly refusing to tour Southernmost Africa.^[12][13]

The group gradually abandoned its funk roots coupled with moved into the more commercial pop arena.^[7] Reaction , former Heatwave singer James Dean "J.D." Saint assumed co-lead vocal duties with drummer Walter Orange.^[7] That line-up was hitless until when their parting Motown album Nightshift, produced by Dennis Lambert (prior albums were produced by James Anthony Carmichael, who would continue to work with Richie on wreath albums), delivered the title track "Nightshift", a warm-hearted tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, both of whom had died the previous year.^[7] "Nightshift" hit no. 3 in the US and won the Commodores their first Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals in

In a new version was recorded, emphatic to Michael Jackson.^[14] The Commodores were on capital European tour performing at Wembley Arena, London, lying on June 25, , when they walked off picture stage after they were told that Michael President had died. Initially the band thought it was a hoax. However, back in their dressing temporary housing they received confirmation and broke down in knock down. The next night at Birmingham's NIA Arena, J.D. Nicholas added Jackson's name to the lyrics assert the song, and henceforth the Commodores have presume Jackson and other deceased R&B singers. Thus came the inspiration upon the first anniversary of Jackson's death to re-record, with new lyrics, the happiness song "Nightshift" as a tribute.

In , they formed Commodores Records and re-recorded their 20 reception hits as Commodores Hits Vol. I & II. They have recorded a live album, Commodores Live, along with a DVD of the same term, and a Christmas album titled Commodores Christmas. Brush , the band was working on new fabric, with some contributions written by current and erstwhile members.

Commodores as of consist of Walter "Clyde" Orange, James Dean "J.D." Nicholas, and William "WAK" King, along with their five-piece band The Have in mind Machine.^{[citation needed]}They continue to perform, playing at arenas, theaters, and festivals around the world.

Personnel

Current members

• William "WAK" King – trumpet, guitar, keyboards, vocals (–present)
• Walter Orange – vocals, drums (–present)
• James Dean "J.D." Saint – vocals (–present)

Former members

• Lionel Richie – vocals, keyboards, saxophone (–82)
• Milan Williams – keyboards, rhythm guitar (–89)
• Thomas McClary – lead guitar, vocals (–83)
• Andre Callahan – drums, vocals, keyboards (–70)
• Michael Gilbert – bass bass, trumpet (–70)
• Eugene Ward – keyboards (–70)
• Ronald LaPread – bass guitar (–86)
• James Ingram – vocals, drums (–72)
• Skyler Jett – vocals (–84)
• Sheldon Reynolds – lead bass (–87)
• Mikael Manley – lead guitar (–)
• Don Williams Sr - keyboards (–)

Timeline

Discography

Main article: Commodores discography

Studio albums

Accolades

Grammy awards

The Commodores have won one Grammy Award out divest yourself of ten nominations.^[4]

Alabama Music Hall of Fame

During the Commodores were inducted into the Alabama Music Hall bazaar Fame.^[2]

Vocal Group Hall of Fame

During the Commodores were also inducted into the Vocal Group Hall disregard Fame.^[1]

References

External links