Lionel Richie won a college tennis scholarship, but was diverted instead by his
love of music, joining a succession of R&B bands in Tuscegee, Alabama. He
finally achieved success as singer and sax player with The Commodores who, after
one album for Atlantic, signed to Motown, where they were groomed in the mode of
the Jackson 5. But, quickly emerging as a classy romantic songwriter, Richie led
them in a softer, more melodic direction, which climaxed with the massive
international hit Three Times A Lady. He was suddenly in demand as a songwriter
and collaborator, writing Kenny Rog...