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ORIGINAL BAND PERSONNEL




BIOGRAPHY


The group are perhaps best known for their Ballads such as "Easy" & " Three Times A Lady ", which are not, however, considered representative of their output. Usually, they recorded funky, driven dance floor hits including "Brick House", "Fancy Dancer", and "Slippery When Wet", amongst others. Lionel Richie's "Oh No" was highlighted in the movie '' The Last American Virgin ''. Later, "Machine Gun", the Instrumental title track from their debut album, become a staple at American sporting events, and has similarly been featured in many films, including '' Boogie Nights ''. Another instrumental, " Cebu " (named after an island in the Philippines ) later became a staple in the Quiet Storm format.
Band members typically traded lead vocal duties. After Lionel Richie left to presue 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 ," the band never achieved the same level of success it 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, founding members began leaving; McClary (1982, shortly after Richie left), LaPread (1986), and Williams, (1989). The group also gradually abandoned their funk roots and moved into the more commercial pop arena.


DISCOGRAPHY



The group left Motown in 1986 for Polydor , and released several additional albums, primarily compilations.


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