The Commodores are an influential American funk and soul band best known for their string of hits in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when Lionel Richie was co-lead singer. Formed by students at Tuskegee Institute in 1968, they rose to fame after signing with Motown and opening for the Jackson 5. Their most popular songs include the ballads Easy, Three Times a Lady, and Nightshift, as well as dance classics like Brick House and Lady You Bring Me Up. The group has earned a Grammy Award, been inducted into multiple music halls of fame, and sold over 70 million albums worldwide.