The stipulation from Lionel Richie's record label, keen to secure an interview that focused on his latest album, was as specific as it was bizarre: don't mention The Commodores.
Putting aside the fact that it would be nigh-on impossible to get through an encounter with one of pop's greatest balladeers without making some reference to the soulful sextet with whom he launched his career 40 years ago, it seems that nobody bothered to mention this ludicrous guideline to Lionel himself.
Within minutes of walking into his London hotel, Richie is reeling off anecdotes about his early days in Tuskegee, Alabama - as one of The Commodores.
'Those guys will always be my family,' he sighs. 'That's where it all started for me. We flew around the world having a great time, and we happened to make some music along the way.
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19th March 2009
Putting aside the fact that it would be nigh-on impossible to get through an encounter with one of pop's greatest balladeers without making some reference to the soulful sextet with whom he launched his career 40 years ago, it seems that nobody bothered to mention this ludicrous guideline to Lionel himself.
Within minutes of walking into his London hotel, Richie is reeling off anecdotes about his early days in Tuskegee, Alabama - as one of The Commodores.
'Those guys will always be my family,' he sighs. 'That's where it all started for me. We flew around the world having a great time, and we happened to make some music along the way.
Read Full Story
19th March 2009
