Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. (born June 20, 1949) is a celebrated American singer, songwriter, record producer, and television personality. He gained prominence in the 1970s as a co-lead singer and songwriter for the Motown band Commodores, where he contributed to iconic hits like "Easy," "Sail On," "Three Times a Lady," and "Still." In 1980, he showcased his songwriting prowess by penning the chart-topping single "Lady" for Kenny Rogers.
Richie's solo career took off in 1982 with his self-titled debut album, which sold over four million copies and featured memorable tracks such as "You Are," "My Love," and the number one hit "Truly." His second album, *Can't Slow Down* (1983), achieved immense success, topping the US Billboard 200 and selling over 20 million copies globally, fueled by hits like "All Night Long (All Night)" and "Hello." He also co-wrote the charity anthem "We Are the World" (1985) with Michael Jackson, which sold over 20 million copies.
Following a brief hiatus from recording between 1986 and 1996, Richie returned with seven additional studio albums. Since 2018, he has served as a judge on *American Idol*. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, Richie is among the top-selling artists ever, earning four Grammy Awards and numerous other accolades, including the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2022. Born in Tuskegee, Alabama, his diverse family background includes a lineage of musicians and educators.
