Lionel Richie American Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer and Television Personality

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FEMUSINDO.com - Lionel Brockman Richie Jr., better known as Lionel Richie, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and television personality.

Lionel Richie, who was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, on June 20, 1949, rose to fame in the 1970s as a songwriter and lead singer with the Motown group Commodores.

At that time, he wrote and recorded hit singles, such as "Easy", "Sail On", "Three Times a Lady" and "Still" with the group before he left.

Wrote and Produced Number One Singles

In 1980, Lionel Richie wrote and produced the US Billboard Hot 100 number one single "Lady" for Kenny Rogers.

In 1981, Richie wrote and produced the single "Endless Love", which he recorded as a duet with Diana Ross.

The single remains one of the top 20 best-selling singles of all time, and the biggest career hit for both artists.

Solo Career with Best-Selling Album of All Time

In 1982, he officially launched his solo career with the album Lionel Richie, which sold over four million copies and spawned the singles "You Are", "My Love" and the number-one single "Truly".

Richie's second album, Can't Slow Down (1983), reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

It became one of the best-selling albums of all time and spawned the number-one singles "All Night Long (All Night)" and "Hello".

Wrote Charity Single with Michael Jackson

He co-wrote the 1985 charity single "We Are the World" with Michael Jackson, which sold over 20 million copies.

Her third album, Dancing on the Ceiling (1986), spawned the number-one single "Say You, Say Me" (from the 1985 film White Nights) and the No. 2 hit title track.

From 1986 to 1996, Richie took a break from recording. She has since released seven studio albums.

She has joined the singing competition American Idol to serve as a judge, starting with its sixteenth season (2018 to present).

Most Successful and Best-Selling Singers in the World

During her solo career, Richie became one of the most successful ballad singers of the 1980s, and has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the world's best-selling artists of all time.

She has won four Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for "We Are the World", and Album of the Year for Can't Slow Down.

Her song "Endless Love" was nominated for an Academy Award; while "Say You, Say Me" won the Academy Award and the Golden Globe for Best Original Song.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 2016, Richie received the Songwriters Hall of Fame's highest honor, the Johnny Mercer Award.

In 2022, he received the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by the Library of Congress as well as the American Music Awards Icon Award.

In addition, he was also inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. (*)