Songwriters Hall of Fame

One of the top R&B groups of the 1970’s, the Commodores was formed in 1970 in Tuskegee, Alabama.

The original lineup included Lionel Richie (vocals, saxophone), William King (trumpet), Thomas McClary (guitar), Milan Williams (keyboards), Ronald LaPread (bass) and Walter “Clyde” Orange (drums).

The group was signed to Motown Records in 1972 and their first success was in 1974 with the release of “Machine Bun,” which hit #7 on the R&B charts. In 1975 the group had their first #1 hit with “Slippery When Wet” and followed that with a string of #1 releases including “Just to Be Close to You”, “Easy”, “Too Hot Ta Trot”, “Three Times a Lady” and “Still”.

Richie left the group in 1982 to pursue a solo career. The Commodores continued a successful recording career in the early to mid 1980’s with the top ten hits “Old-Fashioned Love”, “Lady (You Bring Me Up)”, “Oh No”, “Nightshift” (#1, 1985) and “Goin’ to the Bank.”