Lionel Richie Timeline

June 20, 1949: Born as Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. in Tuskegee, Alabama.

1968: During his time at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he is a member of The Mystic along with Thomas McClary and William King.

Later 1968: Milan William leaves the local band The Jays and joins The Mystics which quickly gets a name change, becoming The Commodores. Joining them is Walter Orange, a fellow college student.

1971/1972: Motown records signs on The Commodores.

Oct. 28, 1975: Marries Brenda Harvey.

Jan. 1, 1977: Appears with The Commodores in the movie
Scott Joplin.

Jan. 1, 1978: Appears with The Commodores in the movie
Thank God It's Friday.

Early 1981: He and Diana Ross sing the duet "Endless Love" and it becomes Motown's most successful hit single.

1981: Leaves The Commodores for a solo career.

1982: After leaving The Commodores he releases his solo debut album Lionel Richie.

Oct. 11, 1983: Releases second album Can't Slow Down. It sells over 10 million copies.

1984: The album Can't Slow Down wins a Grammy Award.

Summer 1984: Makes surprise appearance at the closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympics being held in Los Angeles. He sings "All Night Long."

1985: Along with Michael Jackson, he co-writes the "USA For Africa" relief song "We Are the World."

July 15, 1986: Releases third album Dancing on the Ceiling.

1990: He and his wife adopt nine-year-old Nicole Escovedo (Nicole Richie).

May 10, 1991: Appears as himself in the documentary Madonna: Truth or Dare.

Aug. 9, 1993: Divorces Brenda Harvey.

May 27, 1994: Myles Brockman Richie is born.

Dec. 21, 1995: Marries Diana Alexander.

1996: Releases the fourth album Louder Than Words.

Dec. 13, 1996: Appears in the movie.

1998: Releases fifth album Time.

2000: Releases sixth album Renaissance.

June 20, 2003: Gets his own star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame.

May, 2004: Releases seventh album Just For You.

Aug. 11, 2004: Appears on Canadian Idol and helps out seven who will be singing some of his songs in the competition.