Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie
- Full name: Lionel Brockman Richie Jr.
- Date of birth: June 20, 1949
- Place of birth: Tuskegee, Alabama, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Singer, songwriter, record producer, actor
- Known for: "Hello", "All Night Long (All Night)", "Dancing on the Ceiling"
Personal life
Lionel Richie was born on June 20, 1949, in Tuskegee, Alabama. His father, Lionel Richie Sr., was an Army sergeant, and his mother, Alberta R. Foster, was a schoolteacher. Richie has two younger siblings, Deborah and Brenda.
Richie grew up in a musical family. His father played the saxophone and his mother sang in the church choir. Richie began playing the piano at the age of five. He also sang in the church choir.
Richie attended Tuskegee Institute, where he studied business administration. However, he dropped out of college in 1968 to pursue a career in music.
Richie married Brenda Harvey in 1975. They had two children together, Nicole and Miles. The couple divorced in 1993.
In 1995, Richie married Diane Alexander. They had one child together, Sofia. The couple divorced in 2004.
Career
Lionel Richie's music career began in the early 1970s, when he joined the funk and soul band The Commodores. Richie was the lead singer and songwriter for the group. The Commodores had a number of hit songs, including "Three Times a Lady", "Still", and "Nightshift".
In 1982, Richie released his first solo album, Lionel Richie. The album was a huge success, selling over 10 million copies worldwide. The album spawned the hit singles "Hello", "Truly", and "All Night Long (All Night)".
Richie continued to release successful solo albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s. His most successful album was Dancing on the Ceiling (1986), which sold over 20 million copies worldwide. The album spawned the hit singles "Dancing on the Ceiling", "Say You, Say Me", and "Ballerina Girl".
Richie has also had success as a songwriter for other artists. He has written songs for Diana Ross, Kenny Rogers, and Tina Turner.
In addition to his music career, Richie has also acted in a number of films and television shows. He made his acting debut in the 1977 film The Wiz. He has also appeared in the films Running with Scissors (2006) and Tuskegee Airmen (1995).
Awards and honors
Lionel Richie has won numerous awards for his work, including:
- Four Grammy Awards
- An Academy Award
- A Golden Globe Award
- A Primetime Emmy Award
- A BET Lifetime Achievement Award
Richie has also been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Personal life
Lionel Richie is a private person, and he rarely gives interviews. He is also known for his sense of humor and his love of golf.
Richie is a philanthropist, and he has donated millions of dollars to various charities. He is also a supporter of the LGBTQ community.
Net worth
Lionel Richie's net worth is estimated to be $200 million.
