(Born June 20, 1949) Lionel Richie is an American R&B singer, songwriter and composer. His fame began when he was the front man for the Commodores, a nationally popular Motown band during the 1970s. Richie departed the Commodores in 1981 for a solo career. 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, 1986's Dancing on the Ceiling spawned such hits as "Say You, Say Me," "Dancing on the Ceiling," and "Se La", but it would be the end of his large commercial success.