Sound of Soul!

Today in Music History: August 19, 1978

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The 70s. These were some Groovy Times! Remembering the 70s brings on memories of the mads, glads and the fads. Even today many music lovers find themselves Stuck in the 70s. Of course, this decade was the precedence for 80s Music Mania as the 70s ended with the introduction to a new genre of music, hip-hop. For today in music history, it is not hip-hop that is the focus but rather the music considered as soul: "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of funky, secular testifying" (en.wikipedia.org).


The Commodores An American funk/soul band, The Commodores, was at its peak in the 1970s and were one of the top bands during their long tenure at Motown. The group's most successful period was in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Lionel Richie was lead singer and songwriter. For those remembering the 70s soul music, The Commodores owned the charts for a decade. The band's biggest hit singles, which are ballads, include 'Easy' (1977), 'Three Times a Lady' (1978), and 'Nightshift' (1985); and funky dance hits, which include 'Brick House' (1977), 'Fancy Dancer' (1976), 'Lady (You Bring Me Up)' (1981), and 'Too Hot ta Trot'(1978). The group is credited with seven number one songs and a host of other Top Ten hits on the Billboard charts, and their vast catalog includes more than 50 albums.

1978 The Commodores started a five-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Three Times A Lady'. This was the biggest UK hit for Motown Records. Lionel Richie wrote the song about his love for his wife, mother and grandmother, hence 'Once, Twice, Three Times a Lady.' This was the first #1 hit Lionel Richie wrote, but far from his last: he wrote songs that were #1 hits in each of the next seven years, giving him the record for most consecutive #1s by a songwriter.

From then 'til now...

It is awesome when a successful band of eras past are still performing in the 21st century. There were various music industry people who counted them OUT when Lionel Richie left in 1982. How wrong they were! The group responded with 'Night Shift', their biggest hit ever! And they still sound GREAT today...Click HERE to check out the update on...THE COMMODORES, who have proven to be one of the most durable, enjoyable bands of the Soul Music world. They continue to win over audiences into their fourth decade.

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...