86. The Commodores

Talking about Motown was certainly nothing new during the NIHOF Rock and Roll discussions. However, the topic generally came up when discussing forgotten and neglected 60’s artists from the legendary label, and rarely for the achievements of the decade that followed. Yet one of the Detroit label’s biggest successes was a 70’s group that originated from the American Deep South where the Commodores emerged as a major player in the R&B scene.

With a series of hits that crossed from ballads to traditional Funk, the Commodores certainly have to be considered an intriguing Hall of Fame candidate. They have success in the 70s going for them in a genre that is considered Hall respectable. Although their greatest success came from their ballads, they maintained enough Soul in their sound to still give them legitimacy. Combine that with their Funk hits you have a band that has a definite shot for the Hall. The real wild card could be Lionel Richie who eclipsed his former group but really did not have the Rock credo going for him in his solo efforts. Still, inducting the Commodores would allow the Hall to induct Richie without having to acknowledge his solo work.

The Commodores

www.commodoreslive.com

Should The Commodores be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put them in! - 77.3%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 15.9%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 4.5%

No opinion. - 0%

No way! - 2.3%

The Bullet Points

Previous Rank: 2011: #96
2012: #89
2013: #90
2014: #84
2015: #91
2016: #94
Eligible Since: Saturday, 01 January 2000
Country of Origin: U.S.A. (Tuskegee, AL)
Why they will get in: They are still well known and have the cache value of Lionel Richie to assist.
Why they won't get in: They may not have enough “rock” credibility for the Hall, and Lionel is now in.
Nominated in: Never
Essential Albums: Machine Gun (1974)
Caught in the Act (1975)
Commodores (1977)
Natural High (1978)
Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee: Machine Gun (From Machine Gun, 1974)
Slippery When Wet (From Caught in the Act, 1975)
Brick House (From Commodores, 1977)
Easy (From Commodores, 1977)
Night Shift (From Night Shift, 1985)