The Commodores

The Commodores is a soul and funk band best-known for both its ballads and dance-floor hits from the late 1970s. Originally formed as the Mystics in 1968, the six-piece group changed its name to The Commodores and captured the public's attention with its distinctive pop-infused funk sound. By the mid-1970s, the band had solidified itself as a internationally-renowned Motown act, particularly after the release of its 1975 album Caught In the Act, and the smash hit, "Brick House." Arguably its most recognizable song, the 1977 single also marked a transition period in the band's sound from funk hits to softer ballads. Though The Commodores never reached the same level of acclaim after co-lead singer Lionel Richie left the band to pursue a solo career in 1982, the band continues to spread its music with live performances while also leaving its mark on contemporary soul music through its imprint, Commodores Records.