Commodores, often billed as The Commodores, is an American funk and soul group. The group's most successful period was in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Lionel Richie was the co-lead singer.
The members of the group met as mostly freshmen at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) in 1968, and signed with Motown in November 1972, having first caught the public eye opening for the Jackson 5 while on tour.
The band's biggest hit singles are ballads such as "Easy", "Three Times a Lady", and "Nightshift"; and funk-influenced dance songs, including "Brick House", "Fancy Dancer", "Lady (You Bring Me Up)", and "Too Hot ta Trot".
Commodores were inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame. The band has also won one Grammy Award out of nine nominations. The Commodores have sold over 70 million albums worldwide.
Members:
William "WAK" King - trumpet, guitar, keyboards, vocals (1968-present)
Walter Orange - vocals, drums (1972-present)
James Dean "J.D." Nicholas - vocals (1984-present)
Former members:
Lionel Richie - vocals, keyboards, saxophone (1968-82)
Milan Williams - keyboards, rhythm guitar (1968-89)
Thomas McClary - lead guitar, vocals (1968-84)
Andre Callahan - drums, vocals, keyboards (1968-70)
Michael Gilbert - bass guitar, trumpet (1968-70)
Eugene Ward - keyboards (1968-70)
Ronald LaPread - bass guitar (1970-86)
James Ingram - vocals, drums (1970-72)
Skyler Jett - vocals (1982-84)
Sheldon Reynolds - lead guitar (1984-87)
Mikael Manley - lead guitar (1995-2005)
Don Williams Sr - keyboards (1999-2001)
From: Tuskegee, Alabama, U.S.
Genre(s):
Funk,
soul,
R&B,
pop
Active From: 1968-present
Associated Acts:
Lionel Richie