Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. (born June 20, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and television personality. He rose to fame in the 1970s as a songwriter and the co-lead singer of the Motown group Commodores; writing and recording the hit singles "Easy", "Sail On", "Three Times a Lady" and "Still", with the group before his departure. In 1980, he wrote and produced the US Billboard Hot 100 number one single "Lady" for Kenny Rogers. In 1981, Richie wrote and produced the single "Endless Love", which he recorded as a duet with Diana Ross; it remains among the top 20 bestselling singles of all time, and the biggest career hit for both artists. In 1982, he officially launched his solo career with the album Lionel Richie, which sold over four million copies and spawned the singles "You Are", "My Love", and the number one single "Truly". Richie's second album, Can't Slow Down (1983), reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and sold over 20 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time; and spawned the number one singles "All Night Long (All Night)" and "Hello". He then co-wrote the 1985 charity single "We Are the World" with Michael Jackson, which sold over 20 million copies. His third album, Dancing on the Ceiling (1986), spawned the number one single "Say You, Say Me" (from the 1985 film White Nights) and the No. 2 hit title track. From 1986 to 1996, Richie took a break from recording; he has since then released seven studio albums. He has joined the singing competition American Idol to serve as a judge, starting from its sixteenth season (2018 to present). During his solo career, Richie became one of the most successful balladeers of the 1980s, and has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the world's best-selling artists of all time. He has won 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" was nominated for an Academy Award; while "Say You, Say Me" won both the Academy Award and the Golden Globe award for Best Original Song. In 2016, Richie received the Songwriters Hall of Fame's highest honor, the Johnny Mercer Award. In 2022, he received the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by the Library of Congress; as well as the American Music Awards Icon Award. He was also inducted into Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. Richie was born on June 20, 1949, in Tuskegee, Alabama, the son of Lionel Brockman Richie (1915–1990), a U.S. Army systems analyst, and Alberta R. Foster (1917–2001), a teacher and school principal. His grandmother Adelaide Mary Brown was a pianist who played classical music. On March 4, 2011, he appeared on NBC's Who Do You Think You Are?, which found out that his maternal great-grandfather was the national leader of an early Black American fraternal organization. Notably, J. Louis Brown was: [P]rincipal organizer and Supreme Grand Archon of the Knights of Wise Men, a fraternal organization for black men in the post-Civil War period. Formed in Nashville in 1879, it was a fraternal insurance and burial benefit society, as were so many others during the period. ... Source: Article "Lionel Richie" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Lionel Richie is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and television personality born on June 20, 1949, in Tuskegee, Alabama. He began his music career in the 1970s as part of the Motown group and gained attention with his successes during that time. Richie, as the co-lead vocalist of the Commodores, wrote hit songs like "Easy", "Sail On", "Three Times a Lady", and "Still", making a name for himself in the music world.
A turning point in Lionel Richie's career came in 1980 with the song "Lady", which he wrote and produced for Kenny Rogers. The duet "Endless Love" he performed with Diana Ross in 1981 stands out as one of the best-selling duets of all time. In 1982, he stepped into his solo career with the album "Lionel Richie", achieving great success. This album sold over four million copies and included hit songs like "You Are", "My Love", and "Truly". The album "Can't Slow Down", released in 1983, reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over 20 million copies.
In addition to his music career, Lionel Richie has been involved in many important projects. Some of his most significant works include "Earth, Wind & Fire", "The Coronation Concert", "2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony", "The Disney Family Singalong - Volume II", "American Idol", and "CMG Spring Festival Gala". These projects have been significant moments that crowned Richie's music career.
Lionel Richie has won many awards throughout his career. He has been honored with prestigious awards like the Grammy Awards and has gained millions of fans worldwide with his music. Continuing his music career today, Richie continues to produce works that appeal to both old and new generations of listeners. The answer to the question of who Lionel Richie is tells a story filled with his influence and successes in the music industry. Lionel Richie films and music projects form an important part of his artistic journey.
Lionel Richie is an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He gained fame as a member of the Commodores in the 1970s and has produced many hit songs in his solo career.
Lionel Richie is 77 years old, born in 1949.
Lionel Richie's most well-known film is the song 'Endless Love' he created for 'The Lion King'. This song achieved great success alongside the film.
Lionel Richie was born in Alabama, USA. However, he developed a significant part of his music career in Los Angeles.
Lionel Richie has served as a judge on music competition shows like 'American Idol'. He has also appeared as a guest actor in some television series.
