Commodores
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The Commodores were a highly successful soul/funk band in the 1970s. They met as freshmen at Tuskegee Institute, and signed to Motown having first caught the public eye supporting The Jackson Five on tour.
Original Band Personnel
* Lionel Richie (vocals, saxophone, piano) - born on 20 June 1949, in Tuskegee, Alabama.
* Thomas McClary (lead guitar) - born on 6 October 1950, in Eustis, Florida.
* Milan Williams (keyboards) - born on 28 March 1948, died June 9th, 2006 in Houston.
* William King (trumpet) - born on 30 January 1949, in Florida.
* Ronald La Pread (bass guitar) - born on 4 September 1946, in Alabama.
* Walter Orange (vocals, drums) - born on 10 December 1946, in Florida.
Many of their hit tunes were written or co-written by Walter “Clyde” Orange, the original lead singer before Lionel Richie came on board. Lionel and Clyde alternated as lead singers. Clyde was also the lead singer on “Nightshift” and “Brick House” among others. Clyde now lives with his family in Coral Springs, Florida and has three children named Paula, Colin and Cody.
Band members typically alternated lead vocal duties. After Richie left to pursue a solo career, former Heatwave singer J.D. Nicholas assumed co-lead vocal duties with drummer Walter “Clyde” Orange. However, with the exception of the Grammy-winning “Nightshift” (a tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson) the band never achieved the same level of success it had enjoyed with Richie. Ironically, “Nightshift” won The Commodores their only Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals.
Original Band Personnel
* Lionel Richie (vocals, saxophone, piano) - born on 20 June 1949, in Tuskegee, Alabama.
* Thomas McClary (lead guitar) - born on 6 October 1950, in Eustis, Florida.
* Milan Williams (keyboards) - born on 28 March 1948, died June 9th, 2006 in Houston.
* William King (trumpet) - born on 30 January 1949, in Florida.
* Ronald La Pread (bass guitar) - born on 4 September 1946, in Alabama.
* Walter Orange (vocals, drums) - born on 10 December 1946, in Florida.
Many of their hit tunes were written or co-written by Walter “Clyde” Orange, the original lead singer before Lionel Richie came on board. Lionel and Clyde alternated as lead singers. Clyde was also the lead singer on “Nightshift” and “Brick House” among others. Clyde now lives with his family in Coral Springs, Florida and has three children named Paula, Colin and Cody.
Band members typically alternated lead vocal duties. After Richie left to pursue a solo career, former Heatwave singer J.D. Nicholas assumed co-lead vocal duties with drummer Walter “Clyde” Orange. However, with the exception of the Grammy-winning “Nightshift” (a tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson) the band never achieved the same level of success it had enjoyed with Richie. Ironically, “Nightshift” won The Commodores their only Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals.
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Lost & Found: Commodores
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The Ultimate Collection
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The Definitive Collection
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Shoutbox
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martinjanac wrote:
Nice track
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martinjanac wrote:
Nice track
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UnfortunatelyGr wrote:
I really like their sophisti-funk phase... as represented by the Natural High, Midnight Magic and In The Pocket albums. :-p A softer sound that pointed towards the Lionel solo stuff, but not too 'poppy' yet either.
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keithedg wrote:
wish i could have seen him in concert one of my favorites of his many others
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keithedg wrote:
wish i could have seen him in concert one of my favorites of his many others
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keithedg wrote:
wish i could have seen him in concert one of my favorites of his many others
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keithedg wrote:
wish i could have seen him in concert one of my favorites of his many others
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keithedg wrote:
wish i could have seen him in concert one of my favorites of his many others
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William_RL wrote:
Easy <3
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borromo wrote:
"Lovin you" Boy, what a great song. The old adage holds true in this instance " Good things dont come easily"
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drastic67 wrote:
still, sail on, easy, sweet love.
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DM09 wrote:
fuck yeah, been listening to this shit on vinyl. so sick!
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Mandchenha wrote:
qualidade! :D
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Phlunked wrote:
I either listened to something once or I liked it. That's how anyone can interpret my library.
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scofo76 wrote:
Machine Gun! (2)
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vaughnvhalen wrote:
Know it sounds funny But I just can't stand the pain Girl, I'm leaving you tomorrow Seems to me girl you know I've done all I can You see I begged, stole and I borrowed! (yeah)
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DrJAZZ_MrFUNK wrote:
drjazzmrfunkmusic
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barryvs wrote:
You don't simply grow 'fro's like that, they just find you.
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stardustfuzz wrote:
SHE'S A BRICK. HOUSE.
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ionbulgar wrote:
Don't miss the awesome mashup by Brat - Easy Heaven (The Cure vs. The Commodores) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YiAxlDF_9E
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Recent Activity
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Ptunieb, RosieNieves, sigunit and 20 other people added Commodores to their libraries. 10 hours ago
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Kovington tagged Commodores with 70s, funk and soul. Monday afternoon
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Kovington, feli---, Rusttea59 and 11 other people added Commodores to their libraries. Monday afternoon
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cgern tagged Commodores with ‘motown’. Saturday afternoon
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Fruty12, pauladrogers, rbj522 and 2 other people added Commodores to their libraries. Saturday morning
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sabrinacross tagged Commodores with ‘motown’. Friday afternoon
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sabrinacross, plasticmaori, Shopgirl_ and 38 other people added Commodores to their libraries. Friday afternoon
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cgern tagged Commodores with ‘70s’. 10 days ago
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sandollar64, Axalopes, pasture64 and 7 other people added Commodores to their libraries. 10 days ago
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Cooper12345 wrote about Commodores – The Very Best Of The Commodores in a deleted journal. February 2010
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