Commodores

Biography

Commodores, often billed as the Commodores, are 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×Nightshift18 January 1985 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Animal Instinct4:502Nightshift5:073I Keep Running4:134Lay Back5:035Slip of the Tongue3:546Play This Record Twice4:267Janet3:438The Woman in My Life3:399Light Up the Night4:05"; and funk-influenced dance songs, including "Brick House×Brick House1977 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksABrick House3:28BCaptain Quick Draw4:15", "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.

History

Commodores were formed from two former student groups: the Mystics and the Jays. Richie described some members of the Mystics as "jazz buffs". The new six-man band featured Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary, and 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 magazine. "We almost became 'The Commodes.'"
The bandmembers attended Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. 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 famous solo artist). 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. Richie and Orange alternated as lead singers. Orange was the lead singer on the Top 10 hits "Brick House×Brick House1977 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksABrick House3:28BCaptain Quick Draw4:15" (1977) and "Nightshift×Nightshift18 January 1985 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Animal Instinct4:502Nightshift5:073I Keep Running4:134Lay Back5:035Slip of the Tongue3:546Play This Record Twice4:267Janet3:438The Woman in My Life3:399Light Up the Night4:05" (1985).
Bassist Michael Gilbert was also drafted to serve in Vietnam. Ronald LaPread, a keyboardist, told the band he was "the baddest-ass player in Tuskegee," then spent the next few days learning to play the bass. He joined the band in 1970.
The early band was managed by Benny Ashburn, 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.

"Machine Gun×Machine Gun22 July 1974 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Machine Gun2:41A2Young Girls Are My Weakness3:03A3I Feel Sanctified3:47A4The Bump4:11A5Rapid Fire3:04B1The Assembly Line5:12B2The Zoo (The Human Zoo)3:06B3Gonna Blow Your Mind5:42B4There's a Song in My Heart2:43B5Superman2:39" (1974), the instrumental title track from the band's debut album, became a staple at American sporting events, and is also heard in many films, including Boogie Nights and Looking for Mr. Goodbar. 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". Their three albums released in 1975 and 1976, Caught in the Act×Caught in the Act20 February 1975 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Wide Open3:332Slippery When Wet3:213The Bump2:544I’m Ready3:255This Is Your Life5:546Let’s Do It Right3:457Better Never Than Forever3:508Look What You’ve Done to Me3:569You Don’t Know That I Know6:3410Wide Open (reprise)1:01, Movin' On and Hot on the Tracks×Hot on the TracksJune 1976 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracksA1Let’s Get Started3:58A2Girl, I Think the World About You4:26A3High on Sunshine3:08A4Just to Be Close to You6:59B1Fancy Dancer4:24B2Come Inside3:46B3Thumpin’ Music3:26B4Quick Draw4:19B5Can’t Let You Tease Me3:15 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". In 1977, the Commodores released "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". The group reached No. 1 in 1978 with "Three Times a Lady". In 1979, the Commodores scored another top-five ballad, "Sail On×Sail On10 August 1979 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksASail On3:59BThumpin’ Music3:25", before reaching the top of the charts once again with another ballad, "Still×Still14 September 1979 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAStill3:43BSuch a Woman4:10". 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).
Commodores made a brief appearance in the 1978 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, and Skyler Jett replaced him as co-lead singer. Also in 1982, Ashburn died of a heart attack at the age of 54.

Founding member McClary left in 1984 (shortly after Richie) to pursue a solo career, and to develop a gospel music company. McClary was replaced by guitarist-vocalist 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.
The group gradually abandoned its funk roots and moved into the more commercial pop arena. In 1984, former Heatwave singer James Dean "J.D." Nicholas replaced Jett, assuming co-lead vocal duties with drummer Walter Orange. 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", a loving tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, both of whom had died the previous year. "Nightshift" hit no. 3 in the US and won the Commodores their first Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals in 1985.
In 2010 a new version was recorded, dedicated to Michael Jackson. 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 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.

In 1990, they formed Commodores Records and re-recorded their 20 greatest hits as Commodores Hits Vol. I & II. They have recorded a live album, Commodores Live, along with a DVD of the same name, and a Christmas×Christmas1992 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1When the Stars Come Out for Christmas3:192Hark the Herald Angels Sing2:233Christmas Time Is Here4:194First Noel3:195Merry Christmas, Oh Happy Day3:416O Come All Ye Faithful3:127Christmas Song3:458Deck the Halls2:089Do You Hear What I Hear3:4310Sleigh Ride Together With You2:2411Angels We Have Heard on High3:1712Jerry the Elf3:54 album titled Commodores Christmas. In 2012, the band was working on new material, with some contributions written by current and former members.
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. They continue to perform, playing at arenas, theaters, and festivals around the world.
Ronald LaPread died in Auckland, New Zealand on May 30, 2026, at the age of 75.

Current members

William "WAK" King – trumpet, guitar, keyboards, vocals (1968–present)
Brent Carter – vocals (2025–present)
Cody Orange – vocals (2025–present)
Colin Orange – guitar, keyboards, vocals (2025–present)

Former members

Lionel Richie – vocals, keyboards, saxophone (1968–1982)
Milan Williams – keyboards, rhythm guitar (1968–1989; died 2006)
Thomas McClary – lead guitar, vocals (1968–1983)
Andre Callahan – drums, vocals, keyboards (1968–70)
Michael Gilbert – bass guitar, trumpet (1968–1970)
Eugene Ward – keyboards (1968–1970)
Ronald LaPread – bass guitar (1970–1986; died 2026)
James Ingram – vocals, drums (1970–1972)
Skyler Jett – vocals (1982–1984)
Sheldon Reynolds – lead guitar (1983–1987; died 2023)
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)
Pierre Lewis - keyboards (2012-2025)

Grammy awards

The Commodores have won one Grammy Award out of ten nominations.

Alabama Music Hall of Fame

During 1995 the Commodores were inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

Vocal Group Hall of Fame

During 2003 the Commodores were also inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.