Commodores
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The Commodores fueron un grupo estadounidense, famoso por su estilo musical Funk/Soul que destacó en las décadas de 1970 y 1980. Se formaron en Detroit en 1968, y al año firmaron contrato con Motown Records.
Sus integrantes fueron:
- Lionel Richie: Piano, Saxo y Voz.
- William King: Trompeta.
- Thomas Mc Clary: Guitarra.
- Milan Williams: Teclados.
- Ronald La Pread: Bajo.
- Walter Orange: Batería.
Sus canciones más conocidas son Easy y Three Time a Lady.
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Biography
This group is perhaps best known for its ballads, such as "Easy" and "Three Times a Lady", but, for the most part, the group mainly recorded funky, driven dance-floor hits which include "Brick House", "Say Yeah", "Fancy Dancer", and "Too Hot Ta Trot", among others.
Lionel Richie's "Oh No" is highlighted in the movie The Last American Virgin. "Machine Gun", the instrumental title track from the band's debut album, became a staple at American sporting events, and is similarly featured in many films, including Boogie Nights and Looking for Mr. Goodbar. Another instrumental, "Cebu" (named after an island in the Philippines), later became a staple in the Quiet Storm format. Three albums released in years 1975 and 1976 (Caught in the Act, Movin' On, Hot On The Tracks) are considered the peak of their harder funk period. After those recordings the group started to move towards softer sound.
The Commodores originally called themselves the Jays, but had to change their name because of the similarly named O'Jays. To choose a new name William King opened a dictionary and randomly picked a word. "We lucked out," he remarked with a laugh when telling this story to People Weekly Magazine. "We almost became The Commodes!"
Band members typically alternated lead vocal duties. After Richie left to pursue a solo career, former Heatwave singer J.D. Nicholas assumed co-lead vocal duties with drummer Walter Orange. However, with the exception of the Grammy-winning "Nightshift" (a tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson) the band never achieved the same level of success it had enjoyed with Richie. Ironically, "Nightshift" won The Commodores their only Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals.
Over time, the group's founding members began leaving. McClary left in 1982 (shortly after Richie left) to pursue a solo career and to develop a gospel music company. McClary was replaced by guitarist/vocalist Sheldon Reynolds. Ronald LaPread left in 1986 and moved to New Zealand, and Reynolds departed for Earth, Wind and Fire in 1987. Milan Williams exited the band in 1989. The group also gradually abandoned its funk roots and moved into the more commercial pop arena.
In 1985, the group performed two commercials for NBC affiliate WXIA in Atlanta, Georgia. The group left Motown in 1986 for Polydor, and released several additional albums, which are primarily compilations of previous material.
Today, the Commodores consist of Orange, King, and Nicholas. They have re-recorded Commodores hits and have recorded a live album and a Christmas album.
Since the late 1990's, Orange has also been working in conjunction with singer/songwriter Craig Deanto.
[edit] Original band personnel
* Lionel B. Richie Jr. (vocals, saxophone, and piano) - born 20 June 1949, Tuskegee, Alabama. * Thomas McClary (lead guitar) - born 6 October 1949, Eustis, Florida. * Milan Williams (keyboards, guitar) - born 28 March 1948 Okolona, Mississippi, died of cancer, July 9, 2006 Houston, Texas. * William King (trumpet) - born 30 January 1949, Florida. * Ronald La Pread (bass guitar, trumpet) - born 4 September 1946, Alabama. * Walter Orange (vocals, drums) - born 10 December 1946, Florida.
[edit] Album discography
* Machine Gun (1974) #138 U.S. * Caught in the Act (1975) #26 U.S. * Movin' On (1975) #29 U.S. * Hot on the Tracks (1976) #12 U.S. * Commodores (1977) #3 U.S. * Commodores Live! (1977) #3 U.S., #60 UK * Natural High (1978) #3 U.S., #8 UK * Greatest Hits * Midnight Magic (1979) #3 U.S., #15 UK * Heroes (1980) #7 U.S., #50 UK * In The Pocket (1981) #13 U.S., #70 UK * Commodores 13 (1983) #103 U.S. * Nightshift (1985) #12 U.S., #13 UK * United (1986) #101 U.S. * Rock Solid (1988) #101 U.S.
[edit] Singles Year Song U.S. Hot 100 U.S. R&B chart UK singles Album 1974 "Machine Gun" 22 7 20 Machine Gun 1974 "The Zoo (The Human Zoo)" - - 44 Machine Gun 1974 "I Feel Sanctified" 75 12 - Machine Gun 1975 "Slippery When Wet" 19 1 - Caught In The Act 1976 "Sweet Love" 5 2 32 Movin' On 1976 "Just To Be Close To You" 7 1 62 Hot On The Tracks 1977 "Fancy Dancer" 39 9 - Hot On The Tracks 1977 "Easy" 4 1 9 The Commodores 1977 "Brick House" 5 4 32 The Commodores 1978 "Too Hot ta Trot" 24 1 38 The Commodores Live! 1978 "Three Times a Lady" 1 1 1 Natural High 1978 "Flying High" 38 21 37 Natural High 1979 "Sail On" 4 8 8 Midnight Magic 1979 "Still" 1 1 4 Midnight Magic 1980 "Wonderland" 25 21 40 Midnight Magic 1980 "Old-Fashion Love" 20 8 - Heroes 1980 "Heroes" 54 27 - Heroes 1981 "Lady (You Bring Me Up)" 8 5 56 In The Pocket 1981 "Oh No" 4 5 44 In The Pocket 1982 "Why You Wanna Try Me" 66 42 - In The Pocket 1982 "Painted Picture" 70 19 - All The Greatest Hits 1983 "Only You" 54 20 - Commodores 13 1985 "Nightshift" 3 1 3 Nightshift 1985 "Animal Instinct" 43 22 74 Nightshift 1985 "Janet" 87 65 - Nightshift 1986 "Goin' To The Bank" 65 2 43 United
[edit] Awards and recognition
The Commodores were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.
[edit] Samples
Commodores - "Brick House" Play sound "Brick House" from Commodores
Problems listening to the file? See media help.
[edit] External links
* Official Commodores website * Commodores fansite * 'The Commodores' Vocal Group Hall of Fame Page * Soul Bible - NightShift
