GRAMMY WTF?  COMMODORES. This post concludes the Grammy Awards retrospective. 

The Grammy Awards are one of music’s most prestigious trophies. Since the inaugural ceremony in 1959, winners have spanned a vast array of musical styles and winners as diverse as Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Eminem and Lizzo. There have, however, been some instances where one can’t comprehend the outcomes and omissions. Caffè Lattè looks back on some of the most baffling moments and unsuccessful -yet influential- acts…

GRAMMY WTF?

COMMODORES

Ask most people to name a member of the group Commodores and their response would be Lionel Richie. The fact is a majority would struggle to name any other member: past or present.

“Easy”, “Three Times A Lady”, “Brick House”, “Machine Gun”, “Still” and “Sail On”; all of these R&B staples were recorded while Richie was part of the line-up. Incredibly, the Academy failed to reward the group for its efforts throughout the 1970s.

This situation continued until Richie quit the band and launched his solo career. His last single with the group was “Oh No” in 1981. Four years later, the single “Nightshift” gave Commodores its first post-Richie hit. Finally, the Academy presented a Grammy to the band. The song, a tribute to soul artists Jackie Wilson and Marvin Gaye, won in the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal category.

As a soloist, Richie was also more successful, receiving 32 nominations and winning four awards. His first victory was in 1982 for Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male for “Truly”. His LP ‘Can’t Slow Down’ was selected as Album of the Year and Richie was named Producer of the Year in 1984. The following year, “We Are The World” won the Song of the Year Grammy for songwriters Richie and Michael Jackson.