About Lionel Richie

Born in 1949 in Tuskegee Institute, AL (home to Tuskegee University), Lionel Richie's start in the music business came in the early 1970s during his freshman year at Tuskegee University when five classmates asked him to join a band they were forming known as The Mystics. The group later became The Commodores, for whom Richie wrote some of his most enduring songs including "Still," "Sail On," "Easy" and the group's first number-one hit, "Three Times a Lady," which earned a 1979 American Music Award® and a People's Choice Award.

A string of Richie-penned songs took The Commodores to heights they'd never imagined, and at the dawn of the 80s, following the continued chart-topping successes of The Commodores, Richie began getting requests from other artists for their own album projects. In the fall of 1980, country-pop star, Kenny Rogers, was one of those who asked and Richie obliged with the song, "Lady," which spent six weeks at number-one on the charts and remains one of Rogers' most requested songs.

As his writing career grew, a new chapter began unfolding, and in 1982, Richie embarked on his solo recording career. His 1984 single, "All Night Long," became one of Richie's most memorable hits when, at the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

In 1985, Richie co-wrote with Michael Jackson the global anthem, "We Are The World." The recording won five Grammys® and helped raise millions of dollars for famine relief in Africa. In 1986, Richie won the coveted Academy Award® in the category of "Best Song" for his hit "Say You, Say Me" written for the film “White Nights.” At the same ceremonies, Richie was competing with himself as he was listed in the "Best Song" grouping with a second nomination for "Miss Celie's Blues" from the soundtrack of the Steven Spielberg film, “The Color Purple.”

Undoubtedly, Richie's mantlepiece is now quite crowded sporting an Oscar®, five Grammys®, 18 American Music Awards®, a Golden Globe®, five People's Choice Awards and accolades from universities, publications and entertainment organizations from around the world.

Richie’s continuing relevance as a multi-generational artist was evidenced by his inclusion as a celebrity judge of “American Idol”; and the release of his brand new album, “Just Go,” which has already earned him numerous accolades.

From Tuskegee to Motown and beyond, Lionel Richie enjoys universal fame as a singer, songwriter and producer. His star shines brightly. America, and indeed the world, loves Lionel Richie—still.