Lionel Richie: A life written in song

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, lead singer of the Commodores, solo artist, and "American Idol" judge was awarded the Library of Congress' 2022 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song earlier this year. Lionel Richie talks with correspondent Kelefa Sanneh about growing up on the campus of Tuskegee University, as well as his 50-year career - from opening for Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, to his solo success, and what the lyrics of "All Night Long" really mean. (This story was originally broadcast May 15, 2022.)
#lionelrichie #lionelrichiesongs #allnightlong
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[@Nabhan82]

He’s a legend. His songs from the 80s immediately take me back to my childhood.

[@JustinCase780]

Quintessential 80's. "All Night Long" has the magic of a time machine. One of the most loved songs in the world.

[@jeffprokes8990]

Lionel is without question one of the greatest singer/ songwriter/ musicians the planet has ever known and he is definitely among my favorite artists. 🤘🤘

[@foxmccloud7055]

I recently sent a comment on KZbin showing respect for Lionel Richie and to my surprise he actually thanked me for commenting on his video and showing humility and respect.

[@yvonnecamperriovista225]

I love his calmness and humility. Thanks for being you.

[@andrewfrodo2086]

My jaw dropped and was speech less when you went over the songs and singers when he won the award. The more we know. Thanks.

[@chrisfinch8637]

Lionel really knew his musical talent coming to him, when it came to writing and singing his classic songs. His connection with Michael Jackson, with We Are The World (1985), really paid off good.

[@santiagorodriguez3330]

truly genuine talent

[@outermarker5801]

National and International treasure. He's made the whole world sing and dance like few have. And this doesn't even touch his famous works for other artists.

[@carmelaszymanski8104]

AND STILL PRESENT.. WHY?? BECAUSE OF LOVE!! YES, SIR..Well Done!!

[@ediebaxter6194]

He is awesome singer, dad, and grandpa. I love his songs. God bless him

[@debbiem6406]

An insightful, amazing interview. An American icon in our midst.

[@tinawilliams2158]

One of the best concerts I've ever attended was the year 2000 at Riverfront Coliseum. Lionel Richie opened for Tina Turner. My #1girl and one of my top three guys. When I need to calm down and just feel serene nothing gets me there faster than listening to Lionel singing ZOOM. What a great song.

[@darsigrunewald592]

Huge fan. Thank you, Lionel, for all the great memories your song writing gave me.💗

[@hlcotten6587]

The journey, experienced by a catalog full of life’s greatest moments, lived out on this stage we call life. Congrats.

[@woo3131]

The words and arrangement of the music is just fascinating!

[@sueandpatrick]

Lionel is a genuinely good person and I love his music!!

[@dldave1978]

Love this guy. Great story. I can remember being 4 years old in the early 80s hearing his stuff. Years later I realized my dad, listening to the Commodores, introduced me to Lionel.

[@paulabaker8403]

I have been enjoying Lionel Richie from the beginning. He's on the soundtrack of my life. Many memories made. Lots of fun and dancing. A great man, great entaintainer. He appears to be a great dad as well. He is a great mentor and he is a good judge. You can learn a lot from this gentleman. Just, a person I would think to be honest and in his profession, that speaks volumes.

[@emmgeevideo]

I really like the phrase "soundtrack of my life". Music has been a big part of my life (I'm 69 now), especially in my younger years. I never bought a Lionel Richie album, but back when FM radio was more of a thing I heard his songs all the time in the background. I sang along with every one of them in this piece. He definitely made a big mark in the world.

[@miketodd185]

I was born in the time of his Commodores rising and him going off on his own as an artist. I remember hearing the music as a toddler/young child. As I’ve grown, he has too. I’ve seen the rise and as far as I can see and this is my opinion, which I think many share. He is one of the greatest musicians and great humans of America and is to me an American Super Stars on so many levels. He is the American Dream Achieved. 👊🏼💯🇺🇸🙏🏻💙

[@stavros333]

isn't just what you do but what you don't do. Not just what you did but how you did it. Not just what you said but how you said it. Love is so simple yet the simple make it so hard. Love Is full of knowledge yet even the smart don't get it. Love doesn't cost a fortune yet fortunes are spent trying to gain it. Love does demand of you yet you are not willing to sacrifice for it. Those who only seek what love can give and do for them, do nothing for love and others and in such selfish pursuit, in turn rob themselves of love's best gift. Make this year the year you seek to sow love and not just reap it. Be love and not just think it. Do love and not just say it. Talk love and just don't fake it. Seek love and just don't chase it. Embrace it but don't enslave it, share it but don't dare boast in it. Enjoy it but don't abuse it. Free it and watch it come back. Invest in it and watch it pay back. Wash your life in it, light your darkness with it, eat your food with it conduct your business with it and above all else Serve God in it. For whatever love is and is not, it's all of, for and From Him. He is LOVE! " By Steven Gooden

[@miketodd185]

@@stavros333 Ahhh… WoW… don’t think I’ve read that before, so true… but what does that have to do with the video or my comment? Help me understand why you replied to me with this?

[@jameschanin876]

We saw Lionel Richie about 7 years ago in concert it was 1 of the best concerts we ever saw. Lionel graduated high school in Joliet IL ,

[@2legit64]

Lordy! I need to dust off my Lionel Ritchie cassettes! I'd forgotten how many great songs he recorded.

[@GAB8407]

Before I was saved...all my life there was Lionel, the soundtrack of my life.

[@gracefrey6509]

Commodores - Lionel Richie , what memories you have given me growing up .Its indescribable how your music has touched me.

[@ahutton49]

I LOVE you Lionel. You and the Commodores are the soundtrack to my young adulthood, my first love and I thank you for all your works. Be safe.

[@jeffreyyounger5772]

One 🕐 of the most versatile,singer and song writer, maybe producer,one the influence entertainer of the 20 century!!

[@rebeccarankin2691]

Love this interview!

[@zacharypeacock6278]

Hello was the song for me. Mr. Richie thank you for being a part of my childhood... The 80's rocked because of you.

[@woo3131]

One of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time! He does not get enough credit! I loooooooove him!

[@jackiedavis4298]

LEGENDARY ❤💯

[@mrmaxxx94]

Lionel Richie is one of the greatest artists ever and got a catalog to rival many,he told the truth as a Black man

[@cards0486]

It was wonderful to see this profile of Lionel. He’s an amazing talent and genius composer! I’ve adored him for years. Really, the only reason I watch EVERY episode of AMERICAN IDOL is to see and hear Lionel with the contestants. That GERSHWIN AWARD was well deserved. Can’t wait for that new album,Lionel. Remember, you promised us! 💕

[@kannyplay9831]

I loved him from the beginning. Still have Lionel hour in the evenings.

[@markmiller3308]

Seeing him playing Gershwin’s piano and looking like a wide eyed boy is why Mr. Ritchie is cool. He is a composer before being an artist. Sad music today is so bad. Always think of him singing “All Night Long” at the closing ceremonies of the 1984 LA Olympics. Was amazing.

[@jolyfrye1871]

A GREAT musician. 🎼 My favorite Lionel Richie song : Easy.

[@krisj827]

Love Will Find A Way is my favorite Lionel Ritchie song.

[@henrybrown1268]

Mine's also!!!

[@akamih9796]

Crazy how many songs he wrote and many other artist sing them he really knows his music.

[@stephaniecannon410]

The Legendary "Lionel Richie." ❤❤

[@bsquared4604]

One of so many gems that came out of the 70s and 80s,

[@Penabby]

He is indeed great, but his commodores days were by far the best.

[@AnneLeighton]

What a writer. lyrical and musical.

[@Lovejazz01]

I’ve been a fan every since I saw the Commodores open up for the Jackson 5, yes I am that old! I’ve been a fan of Lionel and every piece of music he’s done, including writing and singing the legendary We Are The World with that same famous Micheal Jackson that he once opened up for.

[@carmelaszymanski8104]

Bravo..Son..For Dad..xoxo

[@BarbaraC02]

He is my all time favorite!!! Thanks

[@scrap6195]

Absolutely Love This Dude! I grew up on his music and was much later I learned all the hits he wrote for others...What a talent...Forever Lionel!

[@jamesvioleen]

Love you Lionel, wish I could see you live someday

[@horseygurl143]

Tuskegee rocks!!!

[@mililaniman]

The music of Lionel Richie has been a part of my life since the song "Brick House" and "Three Times A Lady".

[@mostguitarswins]

Great musician and inspiring person. I love watching how he mentors the young talent on American Idol 👏👏👏👏

[@Jupe367]

His mom is beautiful.

[@dianekrstulovich1582]

Love Lionel Richie!

[@jackiebinns6205]

OMG ! So awesome

[@nachohernandez9491]

I grew up with hes music It was him and Michael What more do I want

[@elizabethwightman4700]

LOVE ❤️

[@mikeywestside8509]

An American treasure ✨👌🏼✨

[@mmyname1604]

Love you Lionel. Wish you would come to Tuskegee for a homecoming concert.

[@TheMjphoto45]

I was lucky enough to meet the Commodores in 1978. My first published photograph was the Commodores in Omaha

[@AlessioRomaMusic]

God Bless my brother ✨🎶

[@denamitchell2334]

Congratulations 👏🎉⚡⚡⚡🤠

[@montemccarty6512]

His daughter Nicole. She saw her at a concert when she was very young. He noticed she was unaccompanied. He found out she was homeless. He ended up adopting her. Good man.

[@rheeryder2524]

She wasn't exactly homeless but rather unsupervised. Brenda Richie was enamored with toddler Nicole, which led to the adoption. But anyway her biological aunt is musician Sheila E...as quiet as it's still kept.

[@marybravado6787]

Didn't know that. WOW.

[@TheMjphoto45]

How his album won over Purple Rain was quite amazing....bravo

[@Lady4Life]

Love him!!!

[@rtgray4188]

1st saw Lionel Richie formerly with the Commodores in 1971 as opening band for the Jackson Five in NYC- I'd win round trip with Backstage passes at Madison Square Gardens from.local radio station..How thrilling!! . ...Great funk band..Saw them every year at least once...1st Commodores Fan Club THEN when he left to go solo, Lionel Richie Fan Club in 1983...Now, his ticket prices through the roof! $1500 in Vegas PLUS airfare PLUS hotel plus food, cab, etc Wish I could WIN ANOTHER round trip to see him..any millionaires or #LionelRichie himself care to? He will be in Atlanra GA Nov 11 but is 11 hour drive one way for me plus COST of gas..I can dream. My heart Throb for 50+ years 💔😢 Really need to see him up close, get an autograph as I lost most of my collection in house fire

[@CapnBlood]

good re-run. I would love to hear a new album, Mr. Richie :D

[@mikewest6569]

You never hear anything negative about him, seems like an all around great guy.

[@jeffreysalley]

Ask his ex wife Brenda Richie. She might tell you a thing or two.

[@marybravado6787]

@@jeffreysalley She wasn't happy with his infedelities.

[@jeffreysalley]

@@marybravado6787 imagine if the man you've loved since college. The man who wrote "three times a lady" about you. Now imagine him cheating with his backup dancer and setting her up in an apartment in Beverly Hills!

[@marybravado6787]

@@jeffreysalley I'm aware. I commented about Lionel Richies infadelities. You must have missed it. Plus my ex-husband was a philandering guy. Though I love his talents I felt horrible for his then wife. I don't have to image, I lived the tell. 😓!. 💙✌

[@marybravado6787]

@@jeffreysalley it was to you that I made the comment; She (Lionel Richies then in the day's wife) wasn't happy about his infidelities.

[@jackmeehof2440]

Living proof that a man who can’t sing can still become one of the most successful musicians of all time

[@vtroach]

I am not a troll but I am Black. Lionel did great work and I cant discount that. He skimmed over his crossover justification to me in this interview. I just know in my r&b radio markets that I listened to, they really never play Lionel songs anymore since he left the Commodores. He doesnt owe anyone anything for pursuing his dreams but I think the r&b community cancelled him. I hope I can find some support against my argument from the r&b community elsewhere.

[@marvinhagler4721]

First heard him with THE COMMODORES

[@crazyeightsable]

He certainly has aged well.He doesn't look 73.

[@QueenofNonSequitur]

I sing Brick House to my fat cats all the time.

[@1stltwife]

😀😃😄😁😆

[@donutdomination139]

🤣😂

[@hallnall1667]

Lionel isn't the founder of the Commodores, he joined the band.

[@stavros333]

"We Are Stronger" A Poem by Steven F Gooden We're never as strong, as we are until we have to be. Never Do as much, unless the need we see. Only give our best, when we fail at mediocrity. We Love rather than hate when we admit we're one humanity. We always give more, when compassion moves our heart with unbridled generosity. We Become more of our potential when we are made to see, that clearly our minds can believe in unfathomable possibilities, while seizing every opportunity, here in lies one's destiny. More than our scars, higher than our stars, for in our flaws are what defines our features, they're uniquely ours, as human creatures. We can run faster than on our slowest day. Reason better, and thinking it through all the way, regardless which direction our emotions may sway. We can find our voice when speechless, our strong words with meekness and our Courage in weakness. Always patience not quickness. Silence for peace than loudness, quietness of fear, not hopeless, for time and effort are equally unbiased. We are more than the stories we're told, we're the one's we write, each page unfold. We are the sum of our Lies and truth, fantasy, fiction, faith, and myths, no matter how uncouth. These are what shape us, our lives lived is the proof. We can be more right than wrong. More just than judge. More godlike than unlike. Reflecting Sunlight in our darkest night. Providing refuge. Never more alive until we die within and begin again. A Human Ark Divine in our human spark. by Steven Gooden

[@timmorris171]

When it comes to his in memorial don't lower yourselves and use any of this video or any of this interview because then it won't be about him it'll just be about you

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

He makes an excellent point about melanated artists being criticized for "crossing over" while unmelanated artists are celebrated for it.

[@sandrabarnett1499]

He is internacional super star.

[@marybravado6787]

YES! An International Super Star

[@nanlev613]

I always loved him and still do! I never thought about the fact he’s we black I just loved the music…I don’t choose the music I like based on the race of the musician I just decide whether I like the music or not. Someone told me that the musicians in ABBA are gay and I thought…so… I don’t care about that I just like the music.

[@makellyjt]

That is sooo funny! Jibberish is a legit option.

[@rodanny1961]

why did he touch his face like that!

[@maryhelenmalinafabiszewski]

Lionel Richie i got good news Boston marathon move to abc airing on Patriots day 2023 and beauty and the beast musical live action and cartoon on 🔤 celebrate 30 years on December fifteen

[@kiaraditmasa]

Most Black artist who crossover lose their soul and passion Whitney, Michael,to name a few

[@1m2rich]

Mozart was a Mason as were many of our Scot-Irish founders. They disliked the oppressive royals, clergy, etc.

[@1m2rich]

Couldn't vote in the South. They were voting in the North. They couldn't do intermarriage either in the South. They did in the North. It was never illegal.

[@MusicLover-hu9fw]

Have you studied American history?

[@ashleyoliver2102]

The handsome married cytomorphologically hammer because growth secondly attend absent a wise drink. deeply, second-hand coin

[@TheresaPowers]

that guy has the wierdest profile.

[@stonew1927]

What's the story with his white daughters? Did he marry a white woman? Even then, they seem adopted. Wonder why they chose to adopt white kids instead of the thousands of black babies that also need homes. Not that I judge, since I think everyone is free to adopt whoever they chose, regardless of race. Just find it curious . . .

[@mike8383]

why do these celebs get those horrible face lifts - horrible