Originally Posted by
Jerry Oz
The Commodores had a dominant artist who was interested in things that took the band away from their fan base. Before he left, they were really just his backing band [[in my opinion) and that's too bad. They were at their best as an R&B and soul outfit, but they moved into country and gospel. By the time they became a pop band, they were pretty flavorless and the only distinguishing sound was Lionel Richie's voice. When he left, taking that and his songwriting with him, he also took the pop fans that they had accumulated. They weren't strong enough to win back the R&B fans that they had lost.
George Clinton is the last of the great band leaders. I personally consider him with my other favorites like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman. He had a huge impact on the music that I choose to listen to up until this day. And yes, his music was uncompromising and his spirit is indomitable.
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