Lionel was born Lionel Brockman Richie on June 20, 1949 in Tuskegee, Alabama. He joined The Commodores when they first formed in 1967. On October 28, 1975, he wed Brenda Harvey, they adopted Nicole Richie when Nicole was nine years old. He divorced Brenda Harvey on August 9, 1993. He married his second wife Diana Alexander, they have two children: Myles and Sophia. They filed for divorce in 2006. On June 20, 2003, he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. he wrote some of singer Michael Jackson's songs, which Michael is also Nicole's godfather. Lionel's is 5'11(1.80m). I love Lionel's music, including when he sang with The Commodores.