Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. (born June 20, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer who has sold more than 100 million records.

In the mid-1960s, Richie formed a succession of R&B groups. In 1968 he became the lead singer and saxophonist with the Commodores. They signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records in 1968 for one record before moving on to Motown Records.

The Commodores became established as a popular soul group, their first several albums had a danceable, funky sound (with such tracks as "Machine Gun" and "Brick House"). Over time, Richie wrote and sang more romantic, easy-listening ballads such as, "Easy," "Three Times a Lady" and "Still."

By the late 1970s he had begun to accept songwriting commissions from other artists.