(1949– )
an American singer and writer of soul music whose records have sold more than 50 million copies. He helped to form the Commodores group in 1967, and their hits included Three Times a Lady (1978). Richie left the group in 1982, the year he won a Grammy as Best Male Vocal. He won another in 1984 for Album of the Year, Can’t Slow Down . In 1986 he wrote with Michael Jackson We Are the World for Live Aid . His later albums have included Louder than Words (1996) and Renaissance (2001).