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Tuskegee, United States · 1968–present

Lionel Richie

When we think of music that reaches straight to the heart, with melodies that seem to embrace us, the name of Lionel Richie comes to mind strongly. Before becoming the solo artist we all know, his talent already shone with the Commodores. Back in the 1970s, he wasn’t just a co-vocalist but also the architect behind tracks that became anthems, such as _Easy_, _Sail On_, _Three Times a Lady_, and _Still_. These were songs that, without pretension, became part of people’s daily lives, with that warmth so characteristic of Richie. His ability to weave stories with words was so notable that in 1980, he wrote and produced _Lady_ for Kenny Rogers, a track that climbed to the top of the popularity charts.

The year 1981 marked a turning point with _Endless Love_, a duet he recorded alongside Diana Ross. This piece not only became one of the best-selling singles of all time but also cemented both artists as undisputed icons. This momentum led him to launch his solo career in 1982 with the album _Lionel Richie_. This record not only surpassed four million copies sold but also gave us hits like _You Are_, _My Love_, and the number-one _Truly_. However, it was with his next work, 1983’s _Can’t Slow Down_, that Richie reached the pinnacle. This album, which sold over 20 million copies worldwide, topped the charts in the United States and brought us the successes _All Night Long (All Night)_ and _Hello_.

1 Albums
8 Songs
1,8M Listeners/mo

Most played on DoReSol

Essential songs

1 album|s · 1983

Full discography

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More about Lionel Richie

Biography

Beyond his own achievements, Richie’s talent extended to collaborative projects, such as _We Are the World_ in 1985, a song he co-wrote with Michael Jackson that became a global phenomenon. His third album, _Dancing on the Ceiling_ (1986), continued the streak with tracks like _Say You, Say Me_, which was also featured in the soundtrack of the film _White Nights_, and the title track. After this period of intense activity, Richie took a break from recording until 1996, but his legacy was already firmly established. His career has been recognized with multiple awards, including four Grammys, and in 2022 he received honors such as the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, proving the enduring nature of his music.

Details

Born
20 Jun 1949
Country
🇺🇸 United States
Genre
Soul

Awards and honors

  • Grammy

Record labels

Island Records Island * Mercury Records Mercury * Allied Artists Music Group AAMG * Motown