Working With "Lionel Richie"

Lionel Richie

I first met Lionel Richie when SWITCH was signed to the Motown label back in 1977. At that time the Commodores had just finished their 5th album for Motown, which included "Brick House" & "Easy" and they were enjoying some huge success. The Commodores success became the type of success that SWITCH wanted to reach so we were honored to meet.

Since we were on the same label we would run into the Commodores from time to time at the studio and in the Motown building.  Because SWITCH was an up and coming group at Motown, SWITCH and the Commodores got to know each other.

After Lionel decided to leave the Commodores and pursue a solo career, in 1982, he produced his self-titled debut album. One of the songs that hit #1 was "Truly". As Lionel was performing some of the late night shows, I was asked to sing backgrounds with him on the "Tonight Show".

Lionel had just left the Commodores and at the time I had just recently left SWITCH. We could both relate to being with a group and now being on our own. After Lionel's debut album he had a string of hits and a lot of success with the albums he produced in the 80s.

"Louder Than Words" CD

Lionel continued to produce albums in the 90s, but they didn't match the success of his earlier work. In 1992 Lionel Richie, along with James Carmicheal, who worked as a producer with Lionel with the Commodores, produced an album called "Louder Than Words".  I was asked to come in and sing backgrounds and this was the 2nd time since the "Tonight Show" that I worked with Lionel. Marva King, Lionel Richie and myself sang backgrounds on quite a few songs on the album, but as mentioned before, it didn't reach the same success he had reached prior.

The next time I ended up working with Lionel Richie was in France. I had a duet out with a Soap Opera star named Brenda Epperson. Brenda had enjoyed quite a bit of success on The Young And Restless.  Brenda had left the show but her character was still on the show over in Europe. Because of this Brenda was asked to go to France and perform some shows opening up for Lionel Richie in 5 different cities. Since our duet was gaining popularity I was asked to do this tour with her.

Our last night in France

When we got to France I ran into Sheila E. Sheila was playing percussion for Lionel's tour. We were at the Venue the night of our first show and Sheila asked me if Lionel knew that I was there, and I said no. She took me into Lionel's dressing room, and there was a reunion. The hugs, the surprise! He asked what was I doing there and I told him that we would hanging for a little bit over the next few days because of the duet I had out with Brenda Epperson. Lionel was pleased and introduced me to some people as one of the greatest singers that he knew, which I appreciated.

Our last night was in Paris, France and Lionel's band was performing "All Night Long",  and my wife Rebecca and Yvonne Williams, the other singer that did the tour with me were watching offstage. Sheila E, called me up to perform with them, but not as a singer, I played percussion along side Sheila. Sheila knew that I had played percussion and sang with SWITCH. Since they were doing the song a little different then the record she would grab my arm every time they had a break in the song. It was fun.

As you can see from the picture above, it was my last night and we all took a picture, since Rebecca, Yvonne, Brenda and myself were leaving Lionel's tour. We were only committed to 5 dates. That was the last time that I crossed paths with Lionel, but I have to say that every time, from when we first met back in 1977 all through the late 90s, which covers a span of about 20 years. Lionel was the same, despite his enormous success.

As always, it was great working with Lionel Richie. 


Until Next Time - Phillip