The Commodores: Contact
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The Commodores: Known for such hits as "Just to Be Close to
You," "Easy," and "Brickhouse," to name a few, the Commodores were one of the
top bands during their long tenure at Motown. The group is credited with seven
number one songs and a host of other Top Ten numbers on the Billboard charts.
They also have a vast music catalog that has generated more than 50 albums, and
the recordings continue to be in demand.
The members of the Commodores, all of whom attended Tuskegee Institute in
Alabama, came together as a result of two groups disbanding: the Mystics and the
Jays. Initially formed to simply play music as a pastime and to meet girls, the
lineup consisted of William King (trumpet), Thomas McClary (guitar), Ronald
LaPread (bass), Walter "Clyde" Orange (drums), Lionel Richie (saxophone), and
Milan Williams (keyboards). The members nearly went stir-crazy trying to pick a
name for the group, but to no avail. As a last resort, Orange gave King a
dictionary and told him to pick a name, and that name was the Commodores. With
the only learned musician in the group being Clyde Orange, the Commodores began
spreading their music throughout their regional base, which included Tuskegee,
Montgomery, and Birmingham, AL. After experiencing success in securing dates in
their own backyard, the band ventured to New York City for a gig at the Smalls
Paradise club. They were told, in so many words by the club owner, that their
sound was not happening. However, a short time later the self-contained band was
called back to the club to fill-in for a last minute cancellation. That night
the Tuskegee alumni performed before a standing-room-only crowd. Most of the
crowd were friends and family of the band. Unaware of the planned crowd, the
owner booked the band for two more weeks. Book The Commodores for Private or
Corporate Parties!
The Commodores association with Motown was a result of the group touring with
the Jackson 5. That opportunity occurred in 1971 when the group was told to be
in New York City for an audition. The members did not know the audition was for
the Jackson 5 tour until two weeks later when they were selected for the tour.
They toured with the Jackson 5 for two-and-one-half years, and their presence on
that tour ultimately solidified a deal with Motown. Their first release on
Motown was the up-tempo instrumental dance cut "Machine Gun." Written by Milan
Williams, the song gave the group immediate attention with its Top Ten outing
(Billboard number seven, 15 weeks). That number was followed by the Top 20
single "I Feel Sanctified," which lead to their third single and first number
one record in "Slippery When Wet." Inside of 17 weeks, the Alabama-based septet
was rocking the radio waves with their Southern funk spiced with an animated
vocal delivery, courtesy of Lionel Richie and Clyde Orange.
In September of 1976, they released "Just to Be Close to You," their second
number one single and a number seven pop hit. The Top Ten hit "Fancy Dancer"
followed, and then came "Easy." Different from their other tunes, "Easy" was
very serene and not nearly as soulful or funky as the band's other tunes.
Nonetheless, it claimed the number one spot on the charts, and it paved the way
for the style of ballads the group would later be known for. However, soul and
funk was still very much present in spite of the benevolent rhythms of "Easy."
This was demonstrated with the release of what would become the group's anthem,
"Brickhouse." The arrangement and candid vocal lead by Clyde Orange is
complemented by the evenly saturated percussive and rhythmic attack It cracked
the Top Ten at number four. The irony is that "Brickhouse" was the last song
recorded for the group's self-titled album. Two consecutive number one singles
would follow: the dance cut "Too Hot ta Trot" and the placid number "Three Times
a Lady." And then there was "Still." The last number one for the group with
Richie as a member.
In 1981, Richie recorded "Endless Love" with Diana Ross. The song peaked at
number one for seven and nine weeks respectively on the Billboard R&B and pop
charts. The success of the single was a prelude to the success Richie would
relish upon his exit from the group, which occurred in 1982. But before his
departure, the band had a string of hits which included "Old Fashion Love,"
"Lady (You Bring Me Up)," and "Oh No." However, the Commodores had many songs
that were not releases and never charted, but were and remain favorites among
many. The most notable being "Zoom." A simmering ballad in which Richie
patiently sails through the utopian lyric; truly an R&B classic. In the absence
of Richie, the group courted the talents of tenor J.D. Nicholas (formerly of
Heatwave) and would go on to release its biggest hit. That occurred on January
15, 1985, when "Nightshift" was released. Penned by Clyde Orange, the song pays
to tribute to the late soul singers Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson. Orange and
Nicholas' co-lead the nostalgic number which navigated its way to the top spot
on the charts and stayed there through four consecutive weeks; it also won the
group its only Grammy.
The Commodores left Motown in 1985. The group's split with label was a matter of
principle, which the group could not forsake. Motown gave a commitment to
releasing the group's album prior to Richie's solo release. However, the label
did not honor the commitment and proceeded to release Richie's project.
Consequently, the group signed with Polydor in the same year and had another
swing at the Top Ten with "Goin' to the Bank" (Billboard R&B, number two, 20
weeks). Today the band is reduced to a core of three, which includes Orange,
King, and Nicholas. The threesome are as active as ever performing around the
world; they are managing their own label, Commodore Records, and more than
anything else they're still having fun.
If you haven't seen them live, you haven't seen the
Commodores!
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The Commodores' independent soul weathers the years Montreal Gazette “When she was very small, she said, 'Dad, I bet when you walk in the bathroom and turn the light on, your feet start moving,' ” the Commodores guitarist said. With that, King laughed heartily, as he did frequently over the course of a recent interview ...
Vanderbilt's Tim Corbin turned around Commodores' season The Tennessean The Commodores' season appeared lost after a 7-15 start, particularly considering it was such a young squad with very little power and a completely revamped rotation. Tonight, fifth-seeded Vanderbilt (29-25, 16-14 SEC) begins its seventh consecutive ...
UCLA trying to defend NCAA title in SEC territory The Associated Press The Commodores have plenty of company with 24 total teams competing for the national title led by defending champion UCLA. The Bruins have been the top-ranked program for the longest stretch under coach Carrie Forsyth, and their seven wins in 11 ...
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