THE COMMODORES

They go back a long way… They started with pure R&B in their native Alabama in 1967. At the time, the leader was a certain Lionel Richie; then there were Milan Williams on keyboards, Ronald LaPread on bass and trumpet, Clyde Orange on drums, and finally, for good measure, a saxophone played masterfully by William King.

Even before their Funky-Disco debut in 1976 with “Fancy Dancer”, they had several hits: the first to reach the charts was the ballad “Just to Be Close to You”, followed by “Easy”.

They contributed to the soundtracks of cult films of the era, such as “Thank God It’s Friday” with the track “Too Hot Ta Trot”. They were at the top again in 1978 with “Three Times a Lady”, but shortly thereafter, when Lionel Richie decided to embark on a solo career, the decline began… leading to the group’s final disbandment in 1985.