Nicholas added Jackson's name into the lyrics of the song, and thenceforth the Commodores have mentioned Jackson and other deceased R&B singers. The next night in Birmingham's NIA Arena, J.D. However, back in their dressing rooms they received confirmation and broke down in tears. Initially the band thought it was a hoax. The Commodores were on a European tour performing at Wembley Arena, London, on June 25, 2009, when they walked off the stage after they were told that Michael Jackson had died. In 2010 a new version was recorded, dedicated toВ Michael Jackson. It was a tribute toВ Marvin GayeВ andВ Jackie Wilson. The band remained hitless until 1985 when their finalMotownВ album, Nightshift, produced by Dennis Lambert-all prior albums were produced by James Anthony Carmichael)-delivered the Grammy Award-winning title track 'Nightshift' (No. In 1984 formerВ HeatwaveВ singer James Dean 'J.D.' Nicholas assumed co-lead vocal duties with drummer Walter Orange. The group also gradually abandoned its funk roots and moved into the more commercial pop arena. Keyboardist Milan Williams exited the band in 1989 after allegedly refusing to tourВ South Africa. McClary was replaced by guitarist-vocalistВ Sheldon ReynoldsВ while LaPread left in 1986 and moved toВ Auckland,В New ZealandВ and Reynolds departed forВ Earth, Wind & FireВ in 1987, which prompted trumpeter William 'WAK' King to take over primary guitar duties for live performances. Over time, several founding members left - McClary left in 1983 (shortly after Richie) to pursue a solo career and to develop aВ gospel musicВ company. Also in 1982, their manager Benjamin Ashburn who also managed another bandВ Platinum Hookdied of a heart attack aged 54. A transition that was smooth but slow, Richie's departure was evident after it was mentioned to the band why his distinct sound would ever be a part of The Commodores Skyler Jett replaced Richie as co-lead singer. In 1982, Lionel Richie left to pursue a solo career. 4) and their first upbeat single in almost five years, 'Lady (You Bring Me Up)' (No. In 1981 they released two top-ten hits with 'Oh No' (No. In 1979 the Commodores scored another top-five ballad, 'Sail On', before reaching the top of the charts once again with another ballad, 'Still'. 4 in the U.S., followed by 'Brick House', also top 5, both from their album The Commodores, as was 'Zoom'. In 1977 the Commodores released 'Easy', which became the group's biggest hit yet, reaching No. That move was hinted at in their 1976 Top Ten hits 'Sweet Love' and 'Just to Be Close to You'. After those recordings the group started to move towards a softer sound. Three albums released in 19 ( Caught in the Act, Movin' On, and Hot On The Tracks) are considered В the peak of their harder funk period. Another instrumental, 'Cebu' (named after anВ islandВ in theВ Philippines), later became a staple В in theВ Quiet stormВ format. 'Machine Gun', the instrumental title track from the band's debut album, became a staple at American sporting events, В and is similarly featured in many films, including Boogie NightsВ and Looking for Mr. They performed the song 'Too Hot ta Trot' during the dance contest the songs 'Brick House' and 'Easy' were also played during the movie. The Commodores made a brief appearance in the 1978 film Thank God It's Friday. (Orange was the lead singer on the Top 10 hits 'Brick House' and 'Nightshift'.) Ingram, older than the rest of the band, left to serve active duty inVietnam, and was later replaced by Walter 'Clyde' Orange, who would write or co-write many of their hit tunes.В Lionel RichieВ and Orange alternated as lead singers. They performed mostly cover tunes and some original songs with their first singer, James Ingram (not theВ famous solo artist). 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. The band originated while its members attendedВ Tuskegee UniversityВ in Alabama. 'We lucked out', he remarked with a laugh when telling this story to PeopleВ magazine. To choose a new name, William 'WAK' King opened a dictionary and randomly picked a word.

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. There was even a Jazz aspect to one of the groups.

The Commodores originally came together from two former groups, the Mystics and the Jays.

Commodores discography wiki