Funk and R&B legends

Ever present throughout the '70s and '80s, the Commodores were able to switch in the blink of an eye from driving funk get-downs to soaring balladry. Led for much of their commercial peak by Lionel Richie, the group notched up seven Number One singles, millions of record sales and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Among their best known numbers are 'Easy', 'Brick House', 'Machine Gun', 'Nightshift', and 'Three Times a Lady'.

Richie may have departed the group (we hear he's doing ok for himself), but the Commodores are still a force to reckoned with. The current line-up features William King, Walter Orange and J.D. Nicholas.