Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. (born June 20, 1949) is a Grammy Award-winning American R&B singer, Academy Award-winning songwriter, composer, producer and occasional actor.  His fame began when he was the frontman for the Commodores, a nationally popular Motown band during the 1970s. They had several hits such as "Easy," "Three Times A Lady," and "Brick House." Richie left the Commodores in 1981 for a solo career, becoming one of the most successful artists of the Eighties with five number 1 hits and thirteen consecutive Top 10 hits in the U.S.  He released his self-titled debut in 1982. The album hit #3 on the music charts and sold over 4 million copies. His 1983 follow up album, Can't Slow Down, sold over twice as many copies and won the Grammy Award for the Album of the Year in 1984. His third album, Dancing on the Ceiling, which was released in 1986, spawned such hits as "Say You, Say Me," "Dancing on the Ceiling," and "Se La," but it also signified the end of his large commercial success.  His albums in the 1990s such as Louder Than Words and Time all failed to achieve the previous decade's commercial success. Some of his recent work such as the album Renaissance has returned to his older style, achieving success in Europe.  See Lionel Ritchie Live!  Purchase Lionel Ritchie tickets today!