Former Members:
Milan Williams (now on the "Nightshift" - Brotha, you will never be forgotten!)
Ronald LaPread
Lionel Richie
Thomas McClary
A Short Bio
We all know the story of the Commodores - how six college kids from Alabama took the world by storm in the mid 1970s and carved their place in musical history.
The group, a tight funk band which consisted of Milan Williams, Walter (Clyde) Orange, Thomas McClary, William King, Ronald LaPread and Lionel Richie, was signed to Motown in 1971 as first the opening act for the Jackson 5 tours, and then as recording artists. It wasn't until 1974 that the group had its first of many hits - an original composition written by Milan Williams that gave them their first hit in 1974 - a funky instrumental called "Machine Gun". After that the group continued to escalate in fame and of course, the hits began to pile up, such as "I Feel Sanctified" (1974), "Slippery When Wet" (1975), "Sweet Love" (1975), "Fancy Dancer" (1976), "Just To Be Close To You" (1976), "Brick House" (1977), "Zoom" (1977), "Too Hot Ta Trot" (1977), "Three Times A Lady" (1978) and "Sail On" (1979). Between the years of 1975-1981, the Commodores were among the most successful acts on Motown. The group, with labelmates Stevie Wonder and Rick James, were credited with pretty much keeping the label afloat during those years.
The success of the Richie-penned "Three Times A Lady" in 1978 signaled a change for the group: crossover. The concentration became less funk-oriented, and many of the hits that followed were geared towards pop audiences. At the time, Richie became the most popular member of the group. After being involved on several projects independent of his work with the Commodores, he eventually exited for a solo career in late 1982. Lead guitarist Thomas McClary followed a year later. Many people were writing the group off since Richie's departure, felt that the Commodores wouldn't be able to continue without him. After having some singers do temporary duty as lead singer, former Heatwave vocalist J.D. Nicholas came aboard in 1984.
As negative as some people's opinions were about the future of the group at this time, the Commodores would ironically go on to dispel those thoughts with a haunting yet phenomenal tribute song to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson in 1985, "Nightshift". It was the band's biggest hit ever - topping the music charts for weeks and won the group their first Grammy.
The NIGHTSHIFT album was the Commodores' last for Motown. After the group's departure from the label, bassist Ronald LaPread retired from the group and the band was down to a quartet. The following year, 1986, they signed with Polydor and immediately had a smash hit on the R&B charts, "Goin' To The Bank", followed by "Take It From Me" - both songs from the UNITED album. Another LP on Polydor was recorded in 1988, ROCK SOLID. The next year, the Commodores left Polydor and keyboardist Milan Williams departed the group. The group was now down to three - Walter "Clyde" Orange, William "WAK" King, Jr. and J.D. Nicholas. This lineup is still intact today.
The Commodores have never stopped making music and they continue to tour with their back up band, The Mean Machine, to the thrill and delight of fans everywhere. At present, the band is at work on a NEW CD of ALL-NEW material! This site does celebrate the past accomplishments of this group, but the main concentration is on what is going on with them now. Yes, everyone - if you didn't know, then now you do! The Commodores are still out here, bringing it to ya, makin' it hot, and just LOVIN' IT! There is a lot of good music out there by these guys that has yet to be heard, and this is the place for it. Enjoy!
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Influences
Sly & The Family Stone
Marvin Gaye
Jackie Wilson
Stevie Wonder
Smokey Robinson
James Brown
Jimi Hendrix
Funkadelic
Ohio Players
The Beatles
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THIS IS THE OFFICIAL MYSPACE PAGE OF THE COMMODORES This is the ONLY site on MySpace that has been approved by the Commodores themselves, so accept no substitutes! This page's focus is the current Commodores' lineup, but we never forget our past, so we believe in showin' a little love for former members of the group as well. Also, please keep your comments G and PG rated. :-)
Thanks for coming by and we hope you'll visit us often!
God bless, The Commodores on MySpace Team
Absolutely thrilled to receive your Christmas Greetings!! Yes, I'm still in France, living down south in a tiny mountain village between Monaco and Italy, and LOVING it. Wishing you peace, joy and happiness always. Lots of love. JJ
The Commodores is the only reason why I haven't deleted my myspace page yet...love looking at all the pics, especially the ones with that gorgeous J.D. in them! ;)
Yes, God is taking care of me. :) I think acceptance is the key to it. I hope your friends wife can cope. I know, it gets very difficult sometimes. Thank you JD! Have a good one. :)
HAPPY HOLIDAY CLYDE, WAK & J.D. MAY THE NEW YEAR BRING YOU HEALTH, STRENGTH, HAPPINESS & PROSPERITY... BE SAFE WHILE CELEBRATING. GOD BLESS YOU & YOUR LOVE ONES. ♫ CommodoresRealFan...aka...Candy Kisses ♫
Hey guys, thanks for stopping by...a word of advice...never start decorating the weekend before christmas......because it never gets finished on the weekend....and it stresses you out no end!!! LOL
Oh why did I start?????? If you have some free time tomorrow, can you come round and grab a brush!!????
Have a great week guys, big (paint covered) hugs xoxoxoxoxo