What Happened to The Commodores?

The Commodores originated in 1968 at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, formed from two student groups, The Mystics and The Jays. The initial lineup included Lionel Richie (saxophone, keyboards, vocals), William 'WAK' King (trumpet), Thomas McClary (guitar), Milan Williams (keyboards), Ronald LaPread (bass), and Walter 'Clyde' Orange (drums, vocals). They signed with Motown Records in 1972 after opening for The Jackson 5, quickly becoming one of the label's most successful acts.

Their early sound was characterized by instrumental funk hits like 'Machine Gun' (1974) and 'Slippery When Wet' (1975). As the 1970s progressed, the group diversified, incorporating more soulful ballads, largely penned and fronted by Lionel Richie. This shift led to massive crossover success with songs such as 'Easy' (1977), 'Three Times a Lady' (1978), and 'Still' (1979), alongside funk anthems like 'Brick House' (1977) featuring Walter Orange on lead vocals. During 1977-78, the Commodores achieved a unique Motown feat by placing three consecutive albums into the Top 3 of the Billboard pop charts.

A pivotal moment arrived in 1982 when Lionel Richie departed to pursue a highly successful solo career. While Richie initially expressed reluctance to leave, his increasing success as a songwriter for other artists and Motown's desire for a solo album made his exit inevitable. Following Richie's departure, the band continued, with James Dean 'J.D.' Nicholas (formerly of Heatwave) joining in 1984 to share lead vocal duties with Walter Orange. This new lineup achieved a significant hit with 'Nightshift' in 1985, a tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, which earned The Commodores their first and only Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, The Commodores maintained a consistent touring presence, adapting to lineup changes while preserving their signature sound. Original members William 'WAK' King and Walter 'Clyde' Orange, along with J.D. Nicholas, formed the core of the group for many years. They established Commodores Records in 1990 and continued to record and perform. The band has sold over 70 million albums worldwide and has been inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

As of August 2026, The Commodores remain active, continuing their 'Greatest Hits Tour – Live!' globally. The current touring lineup includes original member William 'WAK' King, with Brent Carter, Cody Orange, and Colin Orange (sons of Walter Orange) handling vocal duties. The group continues to perform at arenas, theaters, and festivals, with upcoming dates scheduled across the US and UK through late 2026. Sadly, original bassist Ronald LaPread passed away on May 30, 2026, at the age of 75, a loss acknowledged by the band.