Commodores: Difference between revisions

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~~{{about|the band|the album|Commodores (album){{!}}''Commodores'' (album)|other uses|Commodore (disambiguation){{!}}Commodore}}~~

~~{{Distinguish|The Communards}}~~

{{hatgrp|{{about|the band|the album|Commodores (album){{!}}''Commodores'' (album)|other uses|Commodore (disambiguation){{!}}Commodore}}

{{Distinguish|the Communards}}}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Commodores

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* [[Polydor Records|Polydor]]

}}

~~| associated_acts =~~

| website = {{url|www.commodoreslive.com}}

| current_members = * [[William King (singer)|William King]]

* ~~Walter~~ Orange

* Brent Carter

* ~~J.D. Nicholas~~

* Cody Orange

* Colin Orange

| past_members = * [[Milan Williams]]

* [[Thomas McClary (musician)|Thomas McClary]]

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* Chelsea Powell

* [[Tom Joyner]]

* Walter Orange

* J.D. Nicholas

}}

'''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.

'''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]].

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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 />

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 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"/> 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"/>

"[[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 (band)|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> Their three albums released in 1975 and 1976, ''[[Caught in the Act (Commodores album)|Caught in the Act]]'', ''[[Movin' On (Commodores album)|Movin' On]]'' and ''[[Hot on the Tracks]]'' were funk albums, with the latter being their first to reach number 1 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart in 1976. 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

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>

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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.

The Commodores as of 2025 consist of original member, William "WAK" King along with Brent Carter, Cody Orange, and Colin Orange (both Walter's sons). Also featured is 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.

Ronald LaPread died in [[Auckland]], New Zealand in May 2026, at the age of 75.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ronald LaPread, former Commodores bass player, dies in Auckland aged 75 |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/music/ronald-lapread-former-commodores-bass-player-dies-in-auckland-aged-75 |access-date=31 May 2026 |publisher=RNZ |date=31 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bass player for The Commodores Ronald LaPread dies, aged 75 |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/bass-player-for-the-commodores-ronald-lapread-dies-aged-75/ZIVFA442EVAJ5P3EILYAWQMNSM/ |access-date=31 May 2026 |publisher=The New Zealand Herald |date=31 May 2026}}</ref>

==Personnel==

===Current members===

* [[William King (singer)|William "WAK" King]] – trumpet, guitar, keyboards, vocals (1968–present)

* ~~Walter~~ Orange – vocals~~, drums~~ (~~1972–present~~)

* Brent Carter – vocals (2025–present)

* ~~James Dean "J.D." Nicholas~~ – vocals (~~1984–2024~~)

* Cody Orange – vocals (2025–present)

* Colin Orange – guitar, keyboards, vocals (2025–present)

===Former members===

* [[Lionel Richie]] – vocals, keyboards, saxophone (1968–82)

* [[Milan Williams]] – keyboards, rhythm guitar (1968–89~~, died 2006~~)

* [[Milan Williams]] – keyboards, rhythm guitar (1968–89)

* [[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)

* 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~~)

* [[Sheldon Reynolds (guitarist)|Sheldon Reynolds]] – lead guitar (1983–87)

* Mikael Manley – lead guitar (1995–2005)

* Don Williams Sr - keyboards (1999–2001)

* James Dean "J.D." Nicholas – vocals (1984–2024)

* Walter "Clyde" Orange – vocals, drums (1972–2024)

====Timeline====

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BarData =

~~bar:WK text:"William King"~~

bar:LR text:"Lionel Richie"

bar:SJ text:"Skyler Jett"

bar:JN text:"J.D. Nicholas"

bar:BC text:"Brent Carter"

bar:CO1 text:"Cody Orange"

bar:WK text:"William King"

bar:TM text:"Thomas McClary"

bar:SR text:"Sheldon Reynolds"

bar:MM text:"Mikael Manley"

bar:CO2 text:"Colin Orange"

bar:MW text:"Milan Williams"

bar:EW text:"Eugene Ward"

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PlotData =

bar:LR from:start till:30/08/1982 color:sax width:11

bar:LR from:start till:30/08/1982 color:sax width:3

bar:LR from:start till:30/08/1982 color:keys width:7

bar:LR from:start till:30/08/1982 color:vocals width:3

bar:LR from:start till:30/08/1982 color:vocals width:11

bar:TM from:start till:01/02/1983 color:guitar width:11

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bar:JI from:20/08/1970 till:01/04/1972 color:vocals width:3

bar:WO from:01/05/1972 till:~~end~~ color:drums width:11

bar:WO from:01/05/1972 till:01/12/2024 color:drums width:11

bar:WO from:01/05/1972 till:~~end~~ color:vocals width:3

bar:WO from:01/05/1972 till:01/12/2024 color:vocals width:3

bar:SJ from:01/10/1982 till:01/05/1984 color:vocals width:11

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bar:SR from:01/01/1983 till:01/03/1987 color:guitar width:11

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

bar:JN from:01/06/1984 till:01/12/2024 color:vocals width:11

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

bar:BC from:05/03/2025 till:end color:vocals width:11

bar:CO2 from:05/03/2025 till:end color:guitar width:11

bar:CO2 from:05/03/2025 till:end color:keys width:7

bar:CO2 from:05/03/2025 till:end color:vocals width:3

bar:CO1 from:05/03/2025 till:end color:vocals width:11

}}

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;Studio albums

* ''[[Machine Gun (Commodores album)|Machine Gun]]'' (1974)

* ''[[Caught in the Act (Commodores album)|Caught in the Act]]'' (1975)

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* ''[[United (Commodores album)|United]]'' (1986)

* ''[[Rock Solid]]'' (1988)

* ''[[Commodores Christmas]]'' (1992)

* ''[[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>

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* [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]

* {{discogs artist|Commodores}}

* {{imdb name|1657489}}

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{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}}
+{{hatgrp|{{about|the band|the album|Commodores (album){{!}}''Commodores'' (album)|other uses|Commodore (disambiguation){{!}}Commodore}}
+{{Distinguish|the Communards}}}}
 {{Infobox musical artist
 | name            = Commodores
@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 * [[Polydor Records|Polydor]]
 }}
-| associated_acts =
 | website         = {{url|www.commodoreslive.com}}
 | current_members = * [[William King (singer)|William King]]
-* Walter Orange
+* Brent Carter
-* J.D. Nicholas
+* Cody Orange
+* Colin Orange
 | past_members    = * [[Milan Williams]]
 * [[Thomas McClary (musician)|Thomas McClary]]
@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 * Chelsea Powell
 * [[Tom Joyner]]
+* Walter Orange
+* J.D. Nicholas
 }}
-'''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.
+'''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]].
@@ Line 49: / Line 51: @@
 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 />
+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 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"/> 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"/>
+"[[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 (band)|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> Their three albums released in 1975 and 1976, ''[[Caught in the Act (Commodores album)|Caught in the Act]]'', ''[[Movin' On (Commodores album)|Movin' On]]'' and ''[[Hot on the Tracks]]'' were funk albums, with the latter being their first to reach number 1 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart in 1976. 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
+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>
@@ Line 74: / Line 76: @@
 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.
+The Commodores as of 2025 consist of original member, William "WAK" King along with Brent Carter, Cody Orange, and Colin Orange (both Walter's sons). Also featured is 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.
+Ronald LaPread died in [[Auckland]], New Zealand in May 2026, at the age of 75.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ronald LaPread, former Commodores bass player, dies in Auckland aged 75 |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/music/ronald-lapread-former-commodores-bass-player-dies-in-auckland-aged-75 |access-date=31 May 2026 |publisher=RNZ |date=31 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bass player for The Commodores Ronald LaPread dies, aged 75 |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/bass-player-for-the-commodores-ronald-lapread-dies-aged-75/ZIVFA442EVAJ5P3EILYAWQMNSM/ |access-date=31 May 2026 |publisher=The New Zealand Herald |date=31 May 2026}}</ref>
 ==Personnel==
 ===Current members===
 * [[William King (singer)|William "WAK" King]] – trumpet, guitar, keyboards, vocals (1968–present)
-* Walter Orange – vocals, drums (1972–present)
+* Brent Carter – vocals (2025–present)
-* James Dean "J.D." Nicholas – vocals (1984–2024)
+* Cody Orange – vocals (2025–present)
+* Colin Orange – guitar, keyboards, vocals (2025–present)
 ===Former members===
 * [[Lionel Richie]] – vocals, keyboards, saxophone (1968–82)
-* [[Milan Williams]] – keyboards, rhythm guitar (1968–89, died 2006)
+* [[Milan Williams]] – keyboards, rhythm guitar (1968–89)
 * [[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)
+* Ronald LaPread – bass guitar (1970–86)<!--Do not add year of death here-->
 * James Ingram – vocals, drums (1970–72)
 * Skyler Jett – vocals (1982–84)
-* [[Sheldon Reynolds (guitarist)|Sheldon Reynolds]] – lead guitar (1983–87, died 2023)
+* [[Sheldon Reynolds (guitarist)|Sheldon Reynolds]] – lead guitar (1983–87)
 * Mikael Manley – lead guitar (1995–2005)
 * Don Williams Sr - keyboards (1999–2001)
+* James Dean "J.D." Nicholas – vocals (1984–2024)
+* Walter "Clyde" Orange – vocals, drums (1972–2024)
 ====Timeline====
@@ Line 139: / Line 146: @@
 BarData =
- bar:WK text:"William King"
   bar:LR text:"Lionel Richie"
   bar:SJ text:"Skyler Jett"
   bar:JN text:"J.D. Nicholas"
+ bar:BC text:"Brent Carter"
+ bar:CO1 text:"Cody Orange"
+ bar:WK text:"William King"
   bar:TM text:"Thomas McClary"
   bar:SR text:"Sheldon Reynolds"
   bar:MM text:"Mikael Manley"
+ bar:CO2 text:"Colin Orange"
   bar:MW text:"Milan Williams"
   bar:EW text:"Eugene Ward"
@@ Line 155: / Line 165: @@
 PlotData =
-  bar:LR from:start      till:30/08/1982 color:sax    width:11
+  bar:LR from:start      till:30/08/1982 color:sax    width:3
   bar:LR from:start      till:30/08/1982 color:keys   width:7
-  bar:LR from:start      till:30/08/1982 color:vocals width:3
+  bar:LR from:start      till:30/08/1982 color:vocals width:11
   bar:TM from:start      till:01/02/1983 color:guitar width:11
@@ Line 183: / Line 193: @@
   bar:JI from:20/08/1970 till:01/04/1972 color:vocals width:3
-  bar:WO from:01/05/1972 till:end        color:drums  width:11
+  bar:WO from:01/05/1972 till:01/12/2024        color:drums  width:11
-  bar:WO from:01/05/1972 till:end        color:vocals width:3
+  bar:WO from:01/05/1972 till:01/12/2024        color:vocals width:3
   bar:SJ from:01/10/1982 till:01/05/1984 color:vocals width:11
@@ Line 190: / Line 200: @@
   bar:SR from:01/01/1983 till:01/03/1987 color:guitar width:11
-  bar:JN from:01/06/1984 till:end        color:vocals width:11
+  bar:JN from:01/06/1984 till:01/12/2024 color:vocals width:11
   bar:MM from:01/03/1995 till:15/06/2005 color:guitar width:11
+ bar:BC from:05/03/2025 till:end        color:vocals width:11
+ bar:CO2 from:05/03/2025 till:end        color:guitar width:11
+ bar:CO2 from:05/03/2025 till:end        color:keys   width:7
+ bar:CO2 from:05/03/2025 till:end        color:vocals width:3
+ bar:CO1 from:05/03/2025 till:end        color:vocals width:11
 }}
@@ Line 199: / Line 217: @@
 ;Studio albums
+{{col div}}
 * ''[[Machine Gun (Commodores album)|Machine Gun]]''  (1974)
 * ''[[Caught in the Act (Commodores album)|Caught in the Act]]'' (1975)
@@ Line 212: / Line 231: @@
 * ''[[United (Commodores album)|United]]'' (1986)
 * ''[[Rock Solid]]'' (1988)
+* ''[[Commodores Christmas]]'' (1992)
 * ''[[No Tricks]]'' (1993)
+{{col div end}}
 ==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>
@@ Line 279: / Line 299: @@
 * [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]
+* {{discogs artist|Commodores}}
+* {{imdb name|1657489}}
 {{Commodores|state=expanded}}

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