Lionel Richie turns 75: a look back (26 images)

By UPI Staff

Lionel Richie, known for his time with the Commodores, his solo career with songs like "All Night Long," "Hello" and "Dancing on the Ceiling," and for being a judge on "American Idol," turns 75 on Thursday. Here's a look back at his career through the years.

Lionel Richie (C) shares a laugh with Grammy Award winning producer Quincy Jones (L) and ASCAP President Hal David at the ASCAP Pop Awards Dinner on May 3, 1984, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Richie was awarded Songwriter of the Year.

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Richie sings his hit song, "All Night Long," on stage during the American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 16, 1984. Richie hosted the show as well as being a winner. The following year, Richie won six American Music Awards, four of them for his video work. Photo by Alan Zanger/UPI

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Richie kisses his Oscar after winning the award for "Say You, Say Me" from "White Nights" in Los Angeles on March 24, 1986. The following year he gave a high school student a four-year-scholarship. Photo by David Vondrak/UPI

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Richie opens for Tina Turner to a sell-out crowd at Vancouver's GM Place, May13, 2000, during their 50-city concert tour, which ends next month. Before the start of this tour Richie had not been before an American audience since 1987. Photo by H.Ruckemann/UPI

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