Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. (born June 20, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor. His recordings with the Commodores and in his solo career made him one of the most successful balladeers of the 1980s.
Beginning in 1968, Richie was a member of the funk and soul band the Commodores. The Commodores became established as a popular soul group; their first several albums had a danceable, funky sound, as in such tracks as “Machine Gun” and “Brick House”. Over time, Richie wrote and sang more romantic, easy-listening ballads such as “Easy”, “Three Times a Lady”, “Still”, and the breakup ballad “Sail On”. Richie launched a solo career in 1982 and his 1982 debut solo album, Lionel Richie, contained three hit singles: the U.S. number-one song “Truly”, and the top five hits “You Are” and “My Love”. The album hit No. 3 on the music charts and sold over four million copies. His 1983 follow-up album, Can’t Slow Down, sold over twice as many copies, propelling him into the first rank of international superstars. He also co-wrote the 1985 charity single “We Are the World” with Michael Jackson, which sold over 20 million copies.
Over the course of his career, Richie has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time. He won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Can’t Slow Down, and his other Grammy Awards include Producer of the Year (Non-Classical) in 1985 and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for “Truly” in 1983. Richie has also been nominated for two Golden Globe awards and won one. In 1982 he was nominated for Best Original Song for the film Endless Love. In 1986 he won the Golden Globe award for Best Original Song for “Say You, Say Me”, featured in the film White Nights. The song also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. In 2016, Richie received the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s highest honor, the Johnny Mercer Award. He has served with Luke Bryan and Katy Perry as a judge for the singing competition American Idol since its move to ABC from the Fox network.
This evening on “Great Soul Performances” in the second hour, I’ll pay tribute to my WCBS-FM co-worker, New York’s “Morning Mayor” the late Harry Harrison. Via air checks, we’ll remember Harry and the way great radio was from one of the very best.
You’ll also hear: The Fifth Dimension, New Birth, the Impressions, the Coasters, Marvin Gaye & Diana Ross, the Mighty Marvellows, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Clarence Carter, Bette Midler, Tyrone Davis, the Avalons, the Wanderers and others. It starts at 7PM ET, 6PM CT, 5PM MT & 4PM PT.
This week we feature music from: Kurtis Blow, Lionel Richie, Supertramp, Pat Benatar, Beastie Boys, Joe Jackson, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Michael Jackson, Van Halen, Blondie, David Lee Roth and more . . .
This week we feature music from: Journey, Stray Cats, Juice Newton, Planet P Project, Peter Tosh, Elton John, Dicks, Toto, Huey Lewis and The News, Stevie Nicks, .38 Special, Lionel Richie, Robert Palmer and more . . .
When “Great Soul Performances” comes your way this evening you’ll hear: Chuck Jackson, the Vibrations, Bruno Mars, Little Anthony & the Imperials, my brother Dickie Harmon & the Autumns; who BTW, is on the mend and is coming along nicely, James Brown, Bobby Hendricks & the Drifters, “Southern Soul” song stylists Uvee Hayes and Dabron, Jay & the Techniques, Ali Ollie Woodson, Eddie Brigati & the Young Rascals, 92 years young Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder; live at the White House and more. It begins at 7PM ET, 6PM CT, 5PM MT and 4PM PT.
This week; Sunday (9am or pm) we feature week one of the letter R on The Vinyl Resting Place – on RadioMax – in honor of the season, we kick things off with Bob Rivers – Walkin’ ‘Round In Women’s Underwear, then stay around for Cliff Richard, Eddie Rabbitt, Helen Reddy, Jerry Reed, Johnny Rivers, Lionel Richie, Marty Robbins, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Rare Earth, Rascals, 
Time is the fifth studio album by Lionel Richie, released on June 23, 1998. It was a commercial disappointment and selling far fewer copies than any of his previous material.
It’s mid-week once again and time for “Great Soul Performances 2: The 80s.” Entertaining you this evening will be: Michael Jackson, my former WWRL co-worker, Imhotep Gary Byrd, Skyy, the S.O.S. Band, George Clinton, Gerald Albright, Process & the Doo Rags, Rory Dodd (with Bonnie Tyler Ha! Ha! Ha!), Diana Ross, Lionel Richie and more. Drop on by at 7PM ET, 6PM CT, 5PM MT and 4PM MT. Enjoy “Hump Day” and join me later this evening for the music on “Great Soul Performances 2: The 80s” at the home of the “Greatest Hits of the 60s, 70s & 80s,” RadioMaxMusic.Com.
If you love the music of the 1980s, I’ve got some fantastic songs for you. Coming up this evening on “Great Soul Performances 2: The 80s,” you’ll hear: Kool & the Gang, Lionel Richie, the Average White Band, Barry & Glodean White, Atlantic Starr, Whitney Houston, Babyface, the Four Tops with Phyliss Hyman, Michael Jackson, Kim Carnes and more. Join me at 7PM ET, 6PM CT, 5PM MT and 4PM PT. You’ll want to hear the show again, and you can, by going to: 
On “Great Soul Performances 2: The 80s” this evening at 7PM ET, we’ll be entertained by: M.C. Hammer, Levert, Donna Summer, Jimmy Castor, the Spinners, Lionel Richie, the Whispers, Stevie Wonder, Babyface, Michael Jackson, the “Birthday Boy” Gerald Alston and several others. As I said, it begins at 7PM ET, 6PM CT, 5PM MT & 4PM PT. In the words of a certain Republican Presidential contender, it’s going to be HUGE! You are all welcome, stop on by for “Great Soul Performances 2: The 80s” on RadioMaxMusic.Com.
