Lionel Richie, renowned musician and judge on “American Idol,” has unveiled his memoir, “Truly,” where he candidly shares the vulnerable details of his life journey. The book offers a glimpse into Richie’s childhood struggles with anxiety and fear, personal triumphs, and his illustrious music career. He looks back on his upbringing in Tuskegee, Alabama, where as a child he first experienced being robbed of the things needed to build a future.
Richie’s story starts at home, being raised by his grandmother, formally trained in piano, that would instill this sense of purpose in him. Despite this musical background, Richie admits a surprising fact: he cannot read music. And with that, his passion for music became his flame. He enthusiastically hooked up with the funk band The Commodores on a full ride scholarship his freshman year to The Tuskegee Institute in the late 1960s. That explosive performance launched a career that would eventually lead to over 125 million albums sold worldwide.
Over the course of his career, Richie has won their share of accolades, from four Grammy Awards to a Golden Globe and an Academy Award. Last year, he received one of music’s highest honors. He was–still is, actually–inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! His timeless tracks, including “Dancing on the Ceiling” and “All Night Long,” created an everlasting legacy. Even after all these years, their influence is still being felt today in popular music.
Richie gets candid about the burden of fame and his new-found position as a mentor to younger artists. He argues for the need to lead them, not scare them.
“The kids remind me of two things. A) How blessed I am. And what I need to do as a mentor. I’m not there to humiliate them. They’re already scared to death,” – Lionel Richie
Richie’s path through the world of music has been far from smooth sailing. He shares memories of growing up scared, anxious and paranoid—experiences some of us know all too well. One of the deepest pieces of advice that ever found its way to him was from the legendary singer Marvin Gaye, who said,
“There is an answer to this. Don’t go lookin’ for it. Just accept it.” – Marvin Gaye
This hard-won wisdom rings out across Richie’s memoir, as he learns to dance through his fears and victories in both life and artistry.
Richie has spent the past eight seasons on “American Idol,” serving as a central creative force. As he looks back at his incredible journey, he still inspires new generations of artists. His memoir—entitled Truly—is both a deeply personal revelation and an urgent call for other men who are battling their own demons to join him in doing so.
