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Lionel Richie Through The Years
He was a Commodore, won an Oscar, made 11 studio albums, penned so many hits it's hard to keep track and now Lionel Richie is playing Heart In The Park!
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1. The Commodores
Lionel Richie was quite the studious and sporty type. He went to college in Alabama where he was born on a tennis scholarship and majored in economics. He started playing in bands at university and in 1968 he joined Motown group The Commodores as a singer and saxophonist.
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2. Motown sensation
The Commodores started off as a support band to The Jackson 5 but quickly became a Motown sensation thanks to their mix of pop and funk music.
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3. Lionel Richie the songwriter
Richie wrote many of The Commodores' hits, including the much covered 'Easy' and 'Three Times A Lady'. His songwriting abilities were noticed and he started composing for other artists in the late 70s. He eventually left The Commodores and in 1982 his first eponymous album came out and was a huge success.
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4. Lionel Richie meets Princess Diana
It's 1987 and Lionel is a huge international star. Richie and his first wife Brenda gifted Princess Diana two leather jackets to Prince William and Prince Harry.
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5. Lionel Richie's solo career
Richie has so far completed 11 solo studio albums, starting in 1982 with 'Lionel Richie'. His most recent, 'Tuskegee', named after his birth place, was released in 2012.
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6. Lionel Richie wins an Academy Award
Lionel Richie kisses his Academy Award for Best Original song, which he won for Say You, Say Me in 1985. The song was part of the soundtrack of film White Nights.
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7. Lionel Richie has a pint
Lionel Richie enjoys a pint in a London pub in 1999.
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8. Lionel Richie with his family
Lionel Richie poses with this second wife Diane Alexander and daughter Nicole. The musician and his previous wife Brenda Harvey informally adopted 2 year old Nicole Camille Escovedo (now Richie) in 1983. Nicole was the daughter of one of Lionel's band members. When she was 9 years old she was formally adopted.
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9. Lionel with Nicole and Sofia Richie
Lionel Richie proudly shows off his beautiful daughters on the red carpet, Nicole and Sofia.
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10. On top of the world
'I'm on top of the world!' and he should be! Lionel Richie is one of the most successful musicians, songwriters and producers of our times.
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11. Lionel Richie's Hollywood Walk of Fame star
Lionel Richie was honored with a star in the Hollywood walk of fame in 2003.
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12. Lionel and Nicole Richie
With his beloved daughter Nicole. Lionel has always been supportive of her, especially during her toughest times as a wild Hollywood child. Lionel is now a grandfather to Nicole's two children: Harlow and Sparrow.
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13. Lionel Richie performs at the UNICEF Ball
Lionel Richie performs onstage during the 2011 UNICEF Ball. Richie has done plenty of charitable work and has worked relentlessly to promote breast cancer awareness as his grandmother was a sufferer. She however survived and inspired hope in the young Lionel.
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14. Tuskegee
Lionel Richie's 11th studio album Tuskegee is named after his birthplace in Alabama.
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15. Lionel Richie the student
Richie attended Tuskegee college, majoring in economics.
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16. Lionel Richie to perform at Heart In The Park on July 14
Heart are very proud to announce London’s premiere live event this summer - Heart in the Park, brought to you by Barclaycard - presenting British Summertime in Hyde Park! With headline performances from International icon Lionel Richie and global superstar Jennifer Lopez, also appearing live are: Chic featuring Nile Rodgers, Eliza Doolittle, Stooshe, Beverley Knight, Delilah, Angle, M.O., Charlie Brown, Vince Kidd, Smiler, Amplify Dot, Incognito, Light Of The World and Pigbag! Tickets go on sale this Friday 24 May from 9am. Click on the link below to buy your tickets!
