Commodores

2025-06-21T13:11:14Z

49.196.240.125:

{{short description|American funk and soul band}}
{{about|the band|the album|Commodores (album){{!}}''Commodores'' (album)|other uses|Commodore (disambiguation){{!}}Commodore}}
{{Distinguish|The Communards}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Commodores
| image = CommodoresPerformingUpClose.jpg
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| caption = The Commodores in [[Hallandale, Florida]], in the 1990s
| origin = [[Tuskegee, Alabama]], U.S.
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Funk]]
* [[Soul music|soul]]
* [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]]
* [[Pop music|pop]]
* [[Disco music|disco]]
}}
| instrument =
| years_active = 1968–present
| label = {{flatlist|
* [[Motown]]
* [[Polydor Records|Polydor]]
}}
| associated_acts =
| website = {{url|www.commodoreslive.com}}
| current_members = * [[William King (singer)|William King]]
* Walter Orange
* J.D. Nicholas
| past_members = * [[Milan Williams]]
* [[Thomas McClary (musician)|Thomas McClary]]
* [[Lionel Richie]]
* Ronald LaPread
* Andre Callahan
* Michael Gilbert
* James Ingram
* Skyler Jett
* [[Sheldon Reynolds (guitarist)|Sheldon Reynolds]]
* Eugene Ward
* Mikael Manley
* David Hodges
* Chelsea Powell
* [[Tom Joyner]]
}}
'''Commodores''', often billed as '''The Commodores''', are an American [[funk]] and [[Soul music|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 [[concert tour|tour]].

The band's biggest [[hit record|hit singles]] are [[Sentimental ballad|ballads]] such as "[[Easy (Commodores song)|Easy]]", "[[Three Times a Lady]]", and "[[Nightshift (song)|Nightshift]]"; and [[funk]]-influenced dance songs, including "[[Brick House (song)|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]].<ref name=Vocal /><ref name=Alabama /> The band has also won one [[Grammy Award]] out of nine nominations. The Commodores have sold over 70 million albums worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.theurbanmusicscene.com/2019/04/the-commodores-receive-honors-from-two-alabama-cities/|title=Motown and R&B Legends The Commodores Receive Honors From Two Alabama Cities|website=theurbanmusicscene.com|date=April 5, 2019}}</ref><ref name=Grammy />

==History==
Commodores were formed from two former student groups: the Mystics and the Jays. Richie described some members of the Mystics as "jazz buffs".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19800925&id=ukUjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qKQFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1845,1760997&hl=en|title=The Montreal Gazette – Google News Archive Search|access-date=October 31, 2017}}</ref> The new six-man band featured [[Lionel Richie]], [[Thomas McClary (musician)|Thomas McClary]], and [[William King (singer)|William King]] from the Mystics, and Andre Callahan, Michael Gilbert, and [[Milan Williams]] from the Jays. They chose their present name when King flipped open a dictionary and ran his finger down the page. "We lucked out," he remarked with a laugh when telling this story to ''[[People (American magazine)|People]]'' magazine. "We almost became 'The Commodes.'"<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://people.com/archive/the-commodores-of-tuskegee-sail-on-a-golden-sea-of-hits-vol-9-no-7/ |title=The Commodores of Tuskegee Sail on a Golden Sea of Hits |last=Kelley |first=Ken |date=February 20, 1978 |website=People |access-date=April 6, 2019}}</ref>

The bandmembers attended [[Tuskegee University|Tuskegee Institute]] in [[Alabama]].<ref name="LarkinSM">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1993|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-733-9|pages=55/7}}</ref> After winning the college's annual freshman talent contest, they played at fraternity parties as well as a weekend gig at the Black Forest Inn, one of a few clubs in Tuskegee that catered to college students. They performed cover tunes and some original songs with their first singer, James Ingram (not the [[James Ingram|famous solo artist]]).<ref name="LarkinSM"/> Ingram, older than the rest of the band, left to serve in [[Vietnam]], and was later replaced by drummer Walter "Clyde" Orange, who wrote or co-wrote many of their hits.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> [[Lionel Richie]] and Orange alternated as lead singers. Orange was the lead singer on the Top 10 hits "[[Brick House (song)|Brick House]]" (1977) and "[[Nightshift (song)|Nightshift]]" (1985).

The early band was managed by Benny Ashburn,<ref name="LarkinSM"/> who brought them to his family's vacation lodge on Martha's Vineyard in 1971 and 1972. There, Ashburn test-marketed the group by having them play in parking lots and summer festivals.
[[File:The Commodores 1970s (Motown publicity photo).jpg|thumb|The Commodores, in an early 1970s publicity photograph]]
"[[Machine Gun (Commodores album)|Machine Gun]]" (1974), the instrumental title track from the band's debut album,<ref name="LarkinSM"/> became a staple at American sporting events,<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Commodores {{!}} Encyclopedia.com|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/commodores|website=Encyclopedia.com|access-date=May 29, 2020}}</ref> and is also heard in many films, including ''[[Boogie Nights]]'' and ''[[Looking for Mr. Goodbar (film)|Looking for Mr. Goodbar]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076327/soundtrack|title=Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977)|access-date=October 31, 2017|publisher=IMDb}}</ref> It reached No. 22 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in 1974. Another 1974 song "I Feel Sanctified" has been called a "prototype" of Wild Cherry's 1976 big hit "Play That Funky Music".<ref>[https://www.songfacts.com/facts/wild-cherry/play-that-funky-music Wild cherry] Retrieved 13 December 2021</ref> Of the three albums released in 1975 and 1976, ''[[Caught in the Act (Commodores album)|Caught in the Act]]'' was funk album, but ''[[Movin' On (Commodores album)|Movin' On]]'' and ''[[Hot on the Tracks]]'' were pop albums. After those recordings the group developed the mellower sound hinted at in their 1976 top-ten hits, "Sweet Love" and "[[Just to Be Close to You]]".<ref name="LarkinSM"/> In 1977, the Commodores released "[[Easy (Commodores song)|Easy]]", which became the group's biggest hit yet, reaching No. 4 in the US, followed by funky single "Brick House", also top 5, both from their album ''Commodores'', as was "Zoom".<ref name="LarkinSM"/> The group reached No. 1 in 1978 with "[[Three Times a Lady]]".<ref name="LarkinSM"/> In 1979, the Commodores scored another top-five ballad, "Sail On", before reaching the top of the charts once again with another ballad, "[[Still (Commodores song)|Still]]".<ref name="LarkinSM"/> In 1981 they released two top-ten hits with "Oh No" (No. 4) and their first upbeat single in almost five years, "[[Lady (You Bring Me Up)]]" (No. 8).<ref name="LarkinSM"/>

Commodores made a brief appearance in the 1978 film ''[[Thank God It's Friday (film)|Thank God It's Friday]]''. They performed the song "Too Hot ta Trot" during the dance contest; the songs "Brick House" and "Easy" were also played in the movie

In 1982, the group decided to take a hiatus from touring and recording, during which time Lionel Richie recorded a solo album at the suggestion of Motown and the other group members. Its success encouraged Richie to pursue a solo career,<ref name="LarkinSM"/> and Skyler Jett replaced him as co-lead singer. Also in 1982, Ashburn died of a heart attack at the age of 54.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2211&dat=19820911&id=5yEmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KP4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1698,1005172&hl=en|title=The Afro American – Google News Archive Search|access-date=October 31, 2017}}</ref>
[[File:CommodoresPerforming.jpg|thumb|right|Band performance in Florida during the 1990s]]
Founding member McClary left in 1984 (shortly after Richie) to pursue a solo career,<ref name="LarkinSM"/> and to develop a [[gospel music]] company. McClary was replaced by guitarist-vocalist [[Sheldon Reynolds (guitarist)|Sheldon Reynolds]]. Then LaPread left in 1986 and moved to [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]]. Reynolds departed for [[Earth, Wind & Fire]] in 1987, which prompted trumpeter William "WAK" King to take over primary guitar duties for live performances. Keyboardist Milan Williams exited the band in 1989 after allegedly refusing to tour South Africa.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbEIzD4Ip_A Milan Williams of the Commadores (sic)] @[[YouTube]]. Retrieved 12 September 2022.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1980/10/25/CRASH-LANDING/6964341294400/|title=CRASH LANDING|website=Upi.com| access-date=11 December 2021}}</ref>

The group gradually abandoned its funk roots and moved into the more commercial pop arena.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> In 1984, former [[Heatwave (band)|Heatwave]] singer James Dean "J.D." Nicholas assumed co-lead vocal duties with drummer Walter Orange.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> That line-up was hitless until 1985 when their final [[Motown]] album ''Nightshift'', produced by Dennis Lambert (prior albums were produced by James Anthony Carmichael, who would continue to work with Richie on his albums), delivered the title track "[[Nightshift (song)|Nightshift]]", a loving tribute to [[Marvin Gaye]] and [[Jackie Wilson]], both of whom had died the previous year.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> "Nightshift" hit no. 3 in the US and won the Commodores their first [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] for [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals|Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals]] in 1985.

In 2010 a new version was recorded, dedicated to [[Michael Jackson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mjfanclub.net/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3859:commodores-re-record-qnightshiftq-as-mj-tribute&catid=85:latest-news&Itemid=82 |title=Commodores Re-record "Nightshift" as MJ Tribute |access-date=June 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723211525/http://mjfanclub.net/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3859:commodores-re-record-qnightshiftq-as-mj-tribute&catid=85:latest-news&Itemid=82 |archive-date=July 23, 2011}}</ref> The Commodores were on a European tour performing at [[Wembley Arena]], [[London]], on June 25, 2009, when they walked off the stage after they were told that Michael Jackson had died. Initially the band thought it was a hoax. However, back in their dressing rooms they received confirmation and broke down in tears. The next night at [[Birmingham]]'s [[Barclaycard Arena|NIA Arena]], J.D. Nicholas added Jackson's name to the lyrics of the song, and henceforth the Commodores have mentioned Jackson and other deceased R&B singers. Thus came the inspiration upon the first anniversary of Jackson's death to re-record, with new lyrics, the hit song "Nightshift" as a tribute.

[[File:25th Natchitoches Jazz and R&B Festival 07.jpg|thumb|Commodores performing at the 25th Natchitoches Jazz and R&B Festival in 2022]]

In 1990, they formed Commodores Records and re-recorded their 20 greatest hits as ''Commodores Hits Vol. I & II''. They have [[sound recording and reproduction|recorded]] a live album, ''[[Commodores Live]]'', along with a DVD of the same name, and a Christmas album titled ''Commodores Christmas''. In 2012, the band was working on new material, with some contributions written by current and former members.

Commodores as of 2020 consist of Walter "Clyde" Orange, James Dean "J.D." Nicholas, and William "WAK" King, along with their five-piece band The Mean Machine.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}They continue to perform, playing at arenas, theaters, and festivals around the world.

==Personnel==
===Current members===
* [[William King (singer)|William "WAK" King]] – trumpet, guitar, keyboards, vocals (1968–present)
* Walter Orange – vocals, drums (1972–present)
* James Dean "J.D." Nicholas – vocals (1984–2024)

===Former members===
* [[Lionel Richie]] – vocals, keyboards, saxophone (1968–82)
* [[Milan Williams]] – keyboards, rhythm guitar (1968–89, died 2006)
* [[Thomas McClary (musician)|Thomas McClary]] – lead guitar, vocals (1968–83)
* 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 (guitarist)|Sheldon Reynolds]] – lead guitar (1983–87, died 2023)
* Mikael Manley – lead guitar (1995–2005)
* Don Williams Sr - keyboards (1999–2001)

====Timeline====
{{#tag:timeline|
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DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
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ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1968

Colors =
id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals
id:trump value:skyblue legend:Trumpet
id:sax value:tan2 legend:Saxophone
id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar
id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album
id:bars value:gray(0.93)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars
LineData =
layer:back color:studio
at:22/07/1974
at:15/02/1975
at:15/10/1975
at:15/06/1976
at:30/03/1977
at:15/05/1978
at:15/07/1979
at:15/06/1980
at:22/06/1981
at:15/09/1983
at:15/01/1985
at:15/10/1986
at:15/07/1988
at:15/11/1992
at:29/03/1993

BarData =
bar:WK text:"William King"
bar:LR text:"Lionel Richie"
bar:SJ text:"Skyler Jett"
bar:JN text:"J.D. Nicholas"
bar:TM text:"Thomas McClary"
bar:SR text:"Sheldon Reynolds"
bar:MM text:"Mikael Manley"
bar:MW text:"Milan Williams"
bar:EW text:"Eugene Ward"
bar:MG text:"Michael Gilbert"
bar:RL text:"Ronald LaPread"
bar:AC text:"Andre Callahan"
bar:JI text:"James Ingram"
bar:WO text:"Walter Orange"

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bar:JN from:01/06/1984 till:end color:vocals width:11

bar:MM from:01/03/1995 till:15/06/2005 color:guitar width:11
}}

==Discography==
{{main|Commodores discography}}

;Studio albums
* ''[[Machine Gun (Commodores album)|Machine Gun]]'' (1974)
* ''[[Caught in the Act (Commodores album)|Caught in the Act]]'' (1975)
* ''[[Movin' On (Commodores album)|Movin' On]]'' (1975)
* ''[[Hot on the Tracks]]'' (1976)
* ''[[Commodores (album)|Commodores]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Natural High (Commodores album)|Natural High]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Midnight Magic (album)|Midnight Magic]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Heroes (Commodores album)|Heroes]]'' (1980)
* ''[[In the Pocket (Commodores album)|In the Pocket]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Commodores 13]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Nightshift (album)|Nightshift]]'' (1985)
* ''[[United (Commodores album)|United]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Rock Solid]]'' (1988)
* ''[[No Tricks]]'' (1993)

==Accolades==

===Grammy awards===
The Commodores have won one [[Grammy Award]] out of ten nominations.<ref name="Grammy">{{cite web |date=June 28, 2023 |title=Commodores |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/commodores/15797 |publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
|+Grammy Awards
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Work
! scope="col" | Result
|-
| 1978
| rowspan=2|[[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals#1970s|Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance – Duo, Group Or Chorus]]
| "Easy" "Brick House"
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2|1979
| "Natural High"
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2|[[Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals#Recipients|Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group]]
| "Three Times A Lady"
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2|1980
| "Sail On"
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2|[[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals#1980s|Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance – Duo, Group Or Chorus]]
| "Midnight Magic"
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2|1981
| "Heroes"
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Grammy Award for Best Inspirational Performance|Best Inspirational Performance]]
| "Jesus Is Love"
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1982
| rowspan=2|Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance – Duo, Group Or Chorus
| "Lady (You Bring Me Up)"
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1986
| "Nightshift"
| {{won}}
|}

===Alabama Music Hall of Fame===
During 1995 the Commodores were inducted into the [[Alabama Music Hall of Fame]].<ref name=Alabama>{{cite web|url=https://www.alamhof.org/commodore|title=Commodores|website=alamhof.org|publisher=[[Alabama Music Hall of Fame]]}}</ref>

===Vocal Group Hall of Fame===
During 2003 the Commodores were also inducted into the [[Vocal Group Hall of Fame]].<ref name=Vocal>{{cite web|url=http://vocalgroup.org/inductees/the-commodores/|title=Commodores|website=vocalgroup.org|publisher=[[Vocal Group Hall of Fame]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website}}
* [http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/395/lionel_richie_three_times_a_superstar/ Lionel Richie interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' 03/2009]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070312071212/http://www.vocalgroup.org/inductees/the_commodores.html 'The Commodores' Vocal Group Hall of Fame Page]

{{Commodores|state=expanded}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Commodores
|list =
{{American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Song}}
{{American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo or Group}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Commodores}}
[[Category:Commodores| ]]
[[Category:American rhythm and blues musical groups]]
[[Category:American pop music groups]]
[[Category:American funk musical groups]]
[[Category:American musical sextets]]
[[Category:American soul musical groups]]
[[Category:Motown artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Alabama]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1968]]
[[Category:Tuskegee University alumni]]
[[Category:Lionel Richie]]
[[Category:African-American musical groups]]
[[Category:Universal Motown Records artists]]
[[Category:1968 establishments in Alabama]]

Wikipedia - User contributions [en]

Commodores