THE COMMODORES

Biography

The Commodores, an American funk and soul group, formed in 1968 at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) in Tuskegee, Alabama, when members from former campus bands The Mystics and The Jays merged. The original lineup included Lionel Richie (vocals, keyboards, saxophone), Thomas McClary (guitar, vocals), William King (trumpet), Ronald LaPread (bass, trumpet), Walter 'Clyde' Orange (drums, vocals), and Milan Williams (keyboards, guitar, drums), with early members Andre Callahan and Michael Gilbert soon replaced. After winning the college's freshman talent contest, they gigged locally at fraternity parties and the Black Forest Inn, performing covers and originals with initial singer James Ingram (not the famous solo artist). Manager Benjamin 'Benny' Ashburn secured gigs, including a brief Atlantic Records stint, before their breakthrough in 1970 opening for the Jackson 5, leading to a Motown signing in 1972.[1][2][3][4][5]

Fun Facts

• The band's name was chosen randomly when William King opened a dictionary and pointed to 'Commodore'; they narrowly avoided 'Commodes'.[2]
• Early member Lionel Richie was a novice saxophonist who also handled vocals and keyboards.[1]
• Their first Motown hit 'Machine Gun' was an up-tempo instrumental recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.[4]
• Keyboardist Milan Williams left in 1989 after refusing to tour South Africa.[2][3]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Suzanne dePasse - Motown Records executive who facilitated their signing and first tour (opening for Jackson 5 tour) [1970-1972]

Key Collaborators

• Lionel Richie - co-lead singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, founding member (hits like 'Machine Gun', 'Slippery When Wet', multiple Motown albums) [1968-1982]
• Walter Orange - co-lead singer, drummer, founding member, continued with band post-Richie (vocals on 'Nightshift', ongoing performances) [1968-present]
• William King - trumpeter, founding member, later took guitar duties (core member through Motown era and beyond) [1968-present]
• James Dean 'J.D.' Nicholas - co-lead vocalist replacing Richie era ('Nightshift' album) [1984-present]
• James Anthony Carmichael - primary producer for early Motown albums (pre-'Nightshift' albums) [1972-1984]

Artists Influenced

• Sheldon Reynolds - replaced McClary, later joined Earth, Wind & Fire (Commodores performances) [1984-1987]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia