Lionel Richie Didn't Want to Leave the Commodores

Lionel talks about not wanting to leave the Commodores and reveals what caused their split.




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Lionel Richie Didn't Want to Leave the Commodores

[Gdubo]

He has said himself that once he was out, he realized he didn't want to be part of a group anymore. One of the issues was his songs becoming more popular than songs the others wrote. As he began to make money for writer's credit the group pushed back harder against his slow songs. I find it interesting that he said in this clip "i already had a band" if you see performances from their last few years together it was obvious they looked more and more like his backing band than an equal group. Unfortunately no black band of the era successfully stayed together. Not Jacksons, not LTD, not Earth Wind & Fire and not the Commodores

[Coco]

Commodores was a 🔥 group seen them live many times.

[saiyongdawn]

Lionel Richie did what was best for him. The other members survived and continued the group bc they were determined to do so. All the best to Commodores and to Lionel Richie. They're all fantastic performers. God ❤ them all equally. 🤩 🙏

[lilyvalley]

Solo was best thing for him, his family, pocket, and the world.

[patriciasmith]

Sometimes you get with what you thought was a great fit, and it turns out that you shine too brightly for them and they start to dislike you. Somethings no matter how seemingly perfect are stepping stones. People who are diamonds usually embarrass opals and have to leave in order to continue to reflect their light to uplift and not to destroy.

[manuginobilisbaldspot]

The reality is, almost ALL successful bands/groups have a breakout star. And it's almost always the lead. The lead is in that position for a reason. Lionel needed to go, it was his time. But it's been almost 40 years since "Lady" was their last real hit together. Lionel, no shade intended, hasn't been a BIG STAR since 1986. Why in the hell haven't they had a reunion at any point? I don't even recall them at his tribute show...that sucks.

[fanmaxis]

trying to get Lionel Richie back in the commodores is like trying to get Peter Gabriel back in Genesis

[southamcaballero]

It was a combination of things. It was mainly like he said, but one of the main things was the slow songs. They just had different styles, kind of like the Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald

[elevatedmind]

This was great. "Nah it's too late" 🤣🤣🤣

[MRATOMIC-yzcx]

Lionel Richie is great. My favorite commodores song of all time was Machine Gun.

[ultramutt]

That infamous press headline should actually have read "What's a funk band like The Commodores doing with a pop singer like Lionel Richie?"

[blackhawkr]

The Commodores turned into what the Temptations became, or later New Edition. One main frontman in the eyes of the public. And equal band mates take that hard. They had a great run.

[professorx]

Commodores not in The Hall of Fame?
Someone plze explain why hasn't that place been shut down, padlocked, and two guards posted outside of the doors?

[ruth_a_r.n.]

What?? They need to bring original group back and sing Brick house! Women everywhere LOVED that song!!

[Itzmrmarcus]

Lionel Richie ain't been black since he left the Commodores Man! *Chris Tucker Voice

[Alexz_Archivz]

@01:10 Damn, you see his daughter in him with his smile

[tedder]

The story I got was that Richie had to take two to three years off to do his solo stuff, and Commodores said “no way, we want to work, ” and went on without him. Years later, it seems Richie got, and took all the credit for the Commodores, and I think that has bothered William King, and Walter Orange for some time. What is crazy is Lionel Richie still tours, and so do The Commodores.

[gaynorpatterson]

Lionel was the most talented one of the group.

[NewMessage]

Well if that call ever did happen.. we know how he'd answer.

[TonyVisciardi]

He seems to have had a lot of work done.