The Commodores had some hits before Lionel Richie left the band. However, the band faced challenges over the years, including the departure of Lionel Richie in 1982, which marked a significant change in their sound and success. Despite these challenges, the Commodores continued to perform and release music, although they never quite reached the same heights as they did in their heyday
If Richie hadn't left, how would the world have had such great songs "hello" "truly" "say you say me" "how long" "you mean more to me than words can ever say" "penny lover" "what a blessed thing" etc. etc.? Not to mention several number one hits that I deliberately left out. Lionel Richie is a blessing to the world. He was great with the Commodores, but as we know nothing lasts forever.
He wrote and sang the same old songs as one of the Commodores: " Three Times a Lady," "Sail On," and "Easy." Since he was a band member, he could only have one or two songs on an album. It made sense for him to go solo and make the money. However, he lost his R&B soulfulness, and his ballads began to sound the same. Rarely is he able to write an up-tempo song.
I see so many ignorant comments here.People calling Lionel names without having a clue what really went down.First and foremost he doesnt owe them a thing to stay with the group for ever.They are only mad because they werent successful.People leave successful and unsuccessful bands everyday. Some of you criticising left your wives or spouses.😀😀 When Lionel was in the Commodores,he wrote their biggest hits and members became jealous.Everytime he submitted a song,they turned it down.Did you know Endless love for example was submitted to the Commodores? They knew it was a good song but were fed up of him taking all the glory.So they said they dont want no more ballads. What would you do if your work kept being turned down? Would you leave and do your thing and stay where you are being regressed? Those same songs that they turned down now turned into worldwide smashes and now they are crying for him. Sorry it doesnt work that way. As per him leaving them hanging,he might have really wanted to come back,but things just kept getting bigger and maybe that became awkward for him to go back and he didnt know how to tell them. If they had treated him good,i am sure he would have at least gone back to them occassionally and even do tours. They got what they deserved.Jealousy is a terrible thing.
Interesting that Jeffrey Osbourne split from LTD close to the period Lionel left the commodore's,,,,,sooooo sad that we will probably never see R&B bands like this again
So many great songs, and the only Grammy is for "Night Shift", without Lionel. The separation could have been handled better, but everyone has done pretty good I'd say. Thanks for the information, well-done!
That's what Motown wanted. Lionel was all for the group but he also wanted a solo career. Motown had a reputation for encouraging the lead singers if successful groups to go solo.
Always ... ALWAYS ... whoever is the lead singer in the band always walks away w/the winning sound and further success while the band fades into oblivion 😮
Lionel Richie had a scheduling conflict that left him unable to attend the ceremony. However, in a "Mr. Rogers" moment he did a video where he sang "You Mean More to Me" to Lynette Butler, a poster child with sickle cell anemia. Personally that was my favorite moment of Motown 25, even ahead of the Michael Jackson moonwalk.
Praying for strength, guidance and peace over your mom. Parents work hard and struggle to ensure their children have what they need and are successful in school. I encourage you to... 1. Always talk with your mom to let her know how you feel and ask how you can help...could be helping out more at home??? 2. Stay in school and graduate. There are a lot of successful high school and uni. youtubers. Your education in the end will help you both. 3. talk to mom about getting a part time job as long as it does not interfere with your studies. Praying all the best for your household & I am now one of your new subscribers.😊 🙏🏾🇨🇦🙏🏾
Fun fact...Ron La Praed lived in NZ for a while and I visited a Japanese student who was staying with him. On the mantle was a Grammy award for nightshift. I shelf it in my hands. Very heavy because of marble base
In some ways the death of the Commodores manager Benny Ashburn was comparable to the death of the Beatles manager Brian Epstein. Sure, it would have been better if Lionel Richie had been up front with the Commodores and left the band sooner but most of the original members left by the end of the 1980's.
Some on this thread have said Lionel Ritchie is a sellout for leaving the band..., but the band plays in " Aparthied South Africa," and he's the sellout? 🤔 Other members have left the band, but it's only a problem with him? Another band member named another who had the biggest mouth and most to say, as the " least talented" of the band? Also getting in the ear of the others.., but Lionel's the problem? Lionel's replacement abruptly leaves their camp for Earth Wind and Fire, but isn't a sellout? Then there's eventually " Two " separate touring bands named the Commodores, with members from the original act? It happens with groups. Michael from the Jacksons, including Jermaine. Donny & Marie from the Osmonds. Klymaxx, etc;
Please talk with your mom regularly... She works hard to ensure you have what you need to succeed...1. high school, 2. college, 3. career...talk to her about your dreams. You can do youtube while in school. There are a lot of successful youtubers in high school as well as attending uni. As a single mother I worked several jobs and completed uni. to provide and ensure my son graduated from high school and uni as I know the struggle if one did not ( if it is for you)... There are a lot of successful youtubers in school so please ALSO finish at least high school. That will help you both in the end.❤ Keeping you in my prayers & I am now one of your new subscribers.😊 🙏🏾🇨🇦🙏🏾
Esentally Lionel was the songwriter. After Lionel left the hits stopped. They did have one hit "Nightshift" while Lionel recorded multiple hits with various artists.
Unfortunately, tension in the group cause excellent artist to almost or destroy the group. Lionel Richey in my opinion is a traitor in more ways than one. He could have been man enough to say hey guys, I like doing my own thing "solo" This is what happens when you become full of yourself. So much tragedy in the music industry. I thought the Nightshift was a dedication to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson. Maybe later it was for Micheal Jackson, who unfortunately ruined his own life. No respect for Lionel R. I do and always will love the Commodores'. But my fav is Earth, Wind & Fire.
Same sad story of bands that couldn't keep rhe original brotherly spirit because they are too dependent on one member talent that outshines the others. The best formula seems to be like Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band or Prince and the Revolution. There is a clear boss and if you wanna live, you live.
The music industry was changing and multiple member groups would be a thing of the past. Babyface, Micheal Jackson, Phil Collins, Beyonce, Bobby Brown, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Andre Cymone and many more went solo. This may have been the best decision they ever made, as the music industry moved more towards solo artist. Business wise it's much easier to deal with one person then seven different ego's.
These guy's made some great music! Thank you Commondores
The Commodores had some hits before Lionel Richie left the band. However, the band faced challenges over the years, including the departure of Lionel Richie in 1982, which marked a significant change in their sound and success. Despite these challenges, the Commodores continued to perform and release music, although they never quite reached the same heights as they did in their heyday
I miss The Commodores😢.
Buy the CD's!
@edub9716 If she a fan dumb a$$. She has the CDs 💿
Lionel took off like a rocket! There was no turning back 😢
If Richie hadn't left, how would the world have had such great songs "hello" "truly" "say you say me" "how long" "you mean more to me than words can ever say" "penny lover" "what a blessed thing" etc. etc.? Not to mention several number one hits that I deliberately left out. Lionel Richie is a blessing to the world. He was great with the Commodores, but as we know nothing lasts forever.
The hits would just been recorded under the Commodores brand if he stayed.
He wrote and sang the same old songs as one of the Commodores: " Three Times a Lady," "Sail On," and "Easy." Since he was a band member, he could only have one or two songs on an album. It made sense for him to go solo and make the money. However, he lost his R&B soulfulness, and his ballads began to sound the same. Rarely is he able to write an up-tempo song.
I see so many ignorant comments here.People calling Lionel names without having a clue what really went down.First and foremost he doesnt owe them a thing to stay with the group for ever.They are only mad because they werent successful.People leave successful and unsuccessful bands everyday.
Some of you criticising left your wives or spouses.😀😀
When Lionel was in the Commodores,he wrote their biggest hits and members became jealous.Everytime he submitted a song,they turned it down.Did you know Endless love for example was submitted to the Commodores? They knew it was a good song but were fed up of him taking all the glory.So they said they dont want no more ballads.
What would you do if your work kept being turned down? Would you leave and do your thing and stay where you are being regressed?
Those same songs that they turned down now turned into worldwide smashes and now they are crying for him.
Sorry it doesnt work that way.
As per him leaving them hanging,he might have really wanted to come back,but things just kept getting bigger and maybe that became awkward for him to go back and he didnt know how to tell them.
If they had treated him good,i am sure he would have at least gone back to them occassionally and even do tours.
They got what they deserved.Jealousy is a terrible thing.
Wow! What an intelligent and concise analysis of the issue.
Thanks a lot.
SPOT ON!!... Lionel Ritchie left as Michael with the J5... When you TALENTED... SOLO is the only way to go... CONTROL of your OWN SUCCESS....
Punch line _ Jealousy is cruel and terrible.
Interesting that Jeffrey Osbourne split from LTD close to the period Lionel left the commodore's,,,,,sooooo sad that we will probably never see R&B bands like this again
😥😥
👂 Thomas McClary is from Eustis, Florida and not Orlando. He now lives in Orange County ✅ FACTS
Wow .Very interesting. Thanks
So many great songs, and the only Grammy is for "Night Shift", without Lionel. The separation could have been handled better, but everyone has done pretty good I'd say. Thanks for the information, well-done!
🛑 Lionel Richie didn’t want anyone else to raise to the top 🔝
How so?
Utter Rubbish 😂😂😂
That's what Motown wanted. Lionel was all for the group but he also wanted a solo career. Motown had a reputation for encouraging the lead singers if successful groups to go solo.
Those sounds can never be duplicated, and that was great music! 😊
"Lionel Richie hasn't been black since the commodores"- Chris Tucker
Lol😂
Rush hour 2
I HOPE THAT LIONEL HEARD THAT MESSAGE!!!
@@freddy8479 Me too. He needed to hear it. he went straight from rocking an afro and acting convincingly black to being a hillbilly. lol
@@percyvolnar8010
AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH, RUTH!!!!
The homies from my home of Tuskegee, AL. They are legendary.
I met the commodores in Buffalo,1977, All of them , Especially Lionel was down to earth!
Ha! He was a spineless traitor to those who gave him an opportunity. He could have been a man and been honest.
@@justsaying3729 Mike, Smokey, Diana.. everybody leaves..
@@popsfashions309 Pillippe Wynne of the Spinners, Curtis Mayfield of the Impressions, Eugene Record of the Chi-Lites, hell, even Cher left Sonny. LOL
@dougsfavorites2578 we can go on and on, and that includes white artists.
They were ahead of their time
Always ... ALWAYS ... whoever is the lead singer in the band always walks away w/the winning sound and further success while the band fades into oblivion 😮
What a great band, it's a pity that Lionel had to desert them.
Damn shame Lionel Richie didn't perform with Walter, Milan, Tommy, Ron, and Willie on Motown 25 back in 1983
Richie holds no hard feeling. Others does without love than Richie is banking because a majority of composition belongs to him they sing.
Selfish!!
Lionel Richie had a scheduling conflict that left him unable to attend the ceremony. However, in a "Mr. Rogers" moment he did a video where he sang "You Mean More to Me" to Lynette Butler, a poster child with sickle cell anemia. Personally that was my favorite moment of Motown 25, even ahead of the Michael Jackson moonwalk.
Their song Easy Sunday was a great song
The NINJA'S (LIONEL) head got big and became ADDICTED TO SINGLE FAME!!!"
What's the big deal ......many singers go solo.
Hello, I am so glad that other people recognized this also. He more or less abandoned his band/group. What a douche bag.
@@justsaying3729
Abandoned them and ESPECIALLY HIS FIRST WIFE!!!
Lionel is more handsome now than he was 40 years ago ❤
Yes he was tore up
I owe my hearing loss to the Commodores!🤣🤣🤣🤣I went to their concerts twice.🥰
Groups typically only get back together when none had any real success after they split.
Praying for strength, guidance and peace over your mom.
Parents work hard and struggle to ensure their children have what they need and are successful in school.
I encourage you to...
1. Always talk with your mom to let her know how you feel and ask how you can help...could be helping out more at home???
2. Stay in school and graduate. There are a lot of successful high school and uni. youtubers. Your education in the end will help you both.
3. talk to mom about getting a part time job as long as it does not interfere with your studies.
Praying all the best for your household & I am now one of your new subscribers.😊
🙏🏾🇨🇦🙏🏾
Fun fact...Ron La Praed lived in NZ for a while and I visited a Japanese student who was staying with him. On the mantle was a Grammy award for nightshift. I shelf it in my hands. Very heavy because of marble base
In some ways the death of the Commodores manager Benny Ashburn was comparable to the death of the Beatles manager Brian Epstein. Sure, it would have been better if Lionel Richie had been up front with the Commodores and left the band sooner but most of the original members left by the end of the 1980's.
WHAT A MESS!...🎶 It's sad when the most talented member of groups go solo. And the rest have resentment.
Some on this thread have said Lionel Ritchie is a sellout for leaving the band..., but the band plays in " Aparthied South Africa," and he's the sellout? 🤔
Other members have left the band, but it's only a problem with him?
Another band member named another who had the biggest mouth and most to say, as the " least talented" of the band? Also getting in the ear of the others.., but Lionel's the problem?
Lionel's replacement abruptly leaves their camp for Earth Wind and Fire, but isn't a sellout?
Then there's eventually " Two " separate touring bands named the Commodores, with members from the original act?
It happens with groups. Michael from the Jacksons, including Jermaine.
Donny & Marie from the Osmonds. Klymaxx, etc;
Please talk with your mom regularly...
She works hard to ensure you have what you need to succeed...1. high school, 2. college, 3. career...talk to her about your dreams.
You can do youtube while in school. There are a lot of successful youtubers in high school as well as attending uni.
As a single mother I worked several jobs and completed uni. to provide and ensure my son graduated from high school and uni as I know the struggle if one did not ( if it is for you)...
There are a lot of successful youtubers in school so please ALSO finish at least high school. That will help you both in the end.❤
Keeping you in my prayers & I am now one of your new subscribers.😊
🙏🏾🇨🇦🙏🏾
Commodores Live is their best album.
Did Richie have some work done?
Of course!
@MrDeevo Looks like hell
Too much!
@@keithclayton5255 😆
Mr.Smooth aka Lionel Ritchie
Click bait. The title is totally deceptive.
12:10 wowwwwwwww.. perfect moment!!
Esentally Lionel was the songwriter. After Lionel left the hits stopped. They did have one hit "Nightshift" while Lionel recorded multiple hits with various artists.
I think Lionel Ritchie is the only former band member who is successful.
Unfortunately, tension in the group cause excellent artist to almost or destroy the group. Lionel Richey in my opinion is a traitor in more ways than one. He could have been man enough to say hey guys, I like doing my own thing "solo" This is what happens when you become full of yourself. So much tragedy in the music industry. I thought the Nightshift was a dedication to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson. Maybe later it was for Micheal Jackson, who unfortunately ruined his own life. No respect for Lionel R. I do and always will love the Commodores'. But my fav is Earth, Wind & Fire.
They didn't sing Easy in Thank God It's Friday
Like he said zoom and fly away 💜
Richie the "lamp man" caused all the trouble with the group.
Same sad story of bands that couldn't keep rhe original brotherly spirit because they are too dependent on one member talent that outshines the others. The best formula seems to be like Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band or Prince and the Revolution. There is a clear boss and if you wanna live, you live.
“hey wasn’t one of you guys in the Commodores?”-Vacation
Horseface did the commodores wrong.
Absolutely. He could have been a man about it but he was selfish and self-absorbed.
The music industry was changing and multiple member groups would be a thing of the past. Babyface, Micheal Jackson, Phil Collins, Beyonce, Bobby Brown, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Andre Cymone and many more went solo. This may have been the best decision they ever made, as the music industry moved more towards solo artist. Business wise it's much easier to deal with one person then seven different ego's.
It's the way its done. Not doing it. It's your right.
🐴Horsell Ritchie
There’s only one Lionel Richie
Who cares
Thank you for the great hits and albums! This video is HORRIBLE! Painted a bad image of a great soul /R&B group!! 🤦🏽♂️
😅