The Commodores - Sail On/Three Times A Lady/Still

The Commodores are an American funk/soul band, which was at its peak in the late 1970s through the mid 1980s. The members of the group met as mostly freshmen at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) in 1968, and signed with Motown in November 1972, having first caught the public eye opening for The Jackson 5 while on tour.

The group's most successful period was in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Lionel Richie was co-lead singer. The band's biggest hit singles are ballads such as "Easy", "Three Times a Lady", and "Nightshift"; and funky dance hits which include "Brick House", "Fancy Dancer", "Lady (You Bring Me Up)", and "Too Hot ta Trot". In 1986 the Commodores won their first Grammy for the song "Nightshift".

The Commodores originally came together from two former groups, the Mystics and the Jays. There was even a Jazz aspect to one of the groups. They wanted to change the name. Together, a six-man band was created from which the notable individuals were Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary, and William King from the Mystics; Andre Callahan, Michael Gilbert, and Milan Williams were from the Jays. To choose a new name, William "WAK" King opened a dictionary and randomly picked a word. "We lucked out", he remarked with a laugh when telling this story to People magazine. "We almost became 'The Commodes'!"

The band originated while its members attended Tuskegee University in Alabama. After winning the university's annual freshman talent contest, they played at fraternity parties as well as a weekend gig at the Black Forest Inn, one of a few clubs in Tuskegee that catered to college students. They performed mostly cover tunes and some original songs with their first singer, James Ingram (not the famous solo artist). Ingram, older than the rest of the band, left to serve active duty in Vietnam, and was later replaced by Walter "Clyde" Orange, who would write or co-write many of their hit tunes. Lionel Richie and Orange alternated as lead singers. (Orange was the lead singer on the Top 10 hits "Brick House" and "Nightshift".)
The Commodores made a brief appearance in the 1978 film Thank God It's Friday. They performed the song "Too Hot ta Trot" during the dance contest; the songs "Brick House" and "Easy" were also played during the movie.

Lionel Richie left the group in 1982 to pursue a solo career.

[luciahessic]

God don't make people singing like this again. Young people don't know what they're missing. I'm 66 yrs and I remember the Commodores with Lionel Richie. Thanks from Trinidad.❤❤❤

[darreldarrel]

My Dear Lord, were any of us that young? I sure miss this.

[Jon-ivgh]

The music of my generation. God I missed it so much. I had no idea how good my life was back then until it was gone. Memories is all I have left.

[ericross]

Good times growing up in the seventies and early eighties. Less hatred and more love!

[jamesharris]

You know sometimes I feel sorry for this current generation because they will never have Love songs that are as sincere and heartfelt

[HardRockMiner]

Listen to that sound... can you hear it? That is real talent that you're hearing.

[ruthshafer]

Love the Commodores! Lionel Richie is a genius musician!

[justme-crxe]

"I'm Giving You Back Your Name." , That Says It All.

Mr lionel Richie a freaking musical genius

[elijahnehader]

Born 1998, israel.
We wanna let all our concerned old timers know that the young generation does appreciate and listen to these masterpieces. At least some of us do.
Thank you for the music. 💜

[Freshmachine]

One of the best singer song writers ever

[sammyhawkins]

3 x a lady is probably one of the greatest songs ever written.

[yvettedecarlo]

These young folks now don't know great music..This is great music the Commodores❤

[LazyIRanch]

"Soul Train" was my jam! That show was pure joy to me. I loved the music, the dancing, the crazy clothes... what a great time to be young.

[michaeldart]

When I was 18...my mom asked me if I wanted to go to San Francisco....on a grey played this album over and over, drove me lost my mom 12 4 miss her so love you mom

[lisakenney]

The comment I read it really is sad the music today cant even come close to 30 years ago It touched your soul .The good thing is we can still listen to it
That's a Blessing Lisa Kenney

[MessoverOG]

Remember when people actually wrote, played and sang songs?? Too bad music is dead! I miss the good old days.

[thepeaceinsideme]

Before computers music was deeply a beautiful time 🎹🌈

[mohamedwatfa]

Never getting tired of listening to the 70s and 80s just too sweet 😍😍🤘🤘🤘🤘

[lhyork]

Too bad he can’t find an audience today cause Lionel still has a great voice