Lionel Richie’s life is a fascinating journey that began in 1949 in Tuskegee, Alabama. As the son of a military man, he had a carefree childhood that sparked his interest in music at a young age. He founded the Commodores in 1968 and penned hits like “Easy” and “Three Times a Lady.” In a recent interview with Paris Match, Lionel opened up about his father, Lyonel Richie Senior, who he admitted always sought his approval. Despite his father’s initial doubts about his music career, Lionel was determined to prove him wrong and even declared that the Commodores would become “the black Beatles.” Over time, his father came around and proudly supported his son’s success.
When Lionel Junior performed on stage, Senior would inspect the concert venues, ensuring everything was in order. At one point, Lionel Jr. paused during a show to acknowledge his father and the overwhelming pride he felt. However, tragedy struck when his father fell ill in the late 80s, prompting Lionel to put his career on hold to care for him. The combination of his father’s illness and a tumultuous divorce caused Lionel to lose his voice, but he now sees that break as a necessary pause that allowed him to reflect and heal.
Reflecting on the tragic deaths of Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, Lionel emphasized the toll that constant activity and pressure took on these iconic artists. He noted how Michael Jackson became a commodity for others to profit from, losing the ability to trust those around him. Lionel concluded sadly that the real issue was not whether Michael could perform fifty concerts as planned, but if he was physically and mentally capable of performing even one, revealing the dark side of the music industry.
Lionel Richie’s connection with Michael Jackson also shed light on the origin of Jackson’s unfortunate nickname, “Smelly.” During a memorable encounter in France, Lionel became a mentor to the young Jackson Five member, who had lived a sheltered life in hotels and never learned basic life skills like making his bed. The nickname, coined by producer Quincy Jones, stemmed from Michael’s habit of wearing the same clothes repeatedly while on tour, as his outfits often disappeared due to staff taking them as souvenirs of the legendary performer.
In the story of Lionel Richie’s life, intertwined with the likes of Michael Jackson and his father Lyonel Senior, we see the complexities and challenges faced by music icons that often go unnoticed behind the glitz and glamour of the industry.
