On January 31, 2026, William “Billy Bass” Nelson Jr. died aged 75. He was musician (bass, guitar), recorded and performed with The Commodores, Chairmen of the Board, Fishbone, Jermaine Jackson, Parlet, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, and Lenny Williams, but was best known as the original bassist for Funkadelic. In 1997, he was inducted in to the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” (together with the other members of Parliament-Funkadelic.)
Tag Archives: The Commodores
Commodores: Movin’ On
In October 1975, “Motown” label released “Movin’ On”, the third Commodores studio album. It was recorded in 1975, and was produced by James Anthony Carmichael, Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary, Milan Williams, Ronald LaPread, William King and Walter Orange.
Personnel:
- Lionel Richie– vocals, saxophone, keyboards
- Thomas McClary– vocals, guitar
- Milan Williams– keyboards
- William King– trumpet
- Ronald LaPread – bass guitar
- Walter Orange – vocals, drums, percussion
Track listing:
- Hold On – Thomas McClary, Lionel Richie
- Free – Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary
- Mary, Mary – Milan Williams
- Sweet Love – Lionel Richie
- (Can I) Get a Witness – Walter “Clyde” Orange
- Gimme My Mule – Ronald LaPread
- Time – William King, Thomas McClary
- Cebu – Thomas McClary
Commodores: Natural High
In May 1978, “Motown” label released “Natural High”, the sixth Commodores album. It was recorded in 1978, and was produced by James Carmichael, Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary, Milan Williams, Ronald LaPread, William King and Walter Orange.
Personnel:
- Lionel Richie– vocals, saxophone, keyboards
- Thomas McClary– vocals, guitar
- Milan Williams– keyboards
- Ronald LaPread – bass guitar
- Walter Orange – vocals, drums, percussion
- William King– trumpet
Track listing:
- Fire Girl – William King, David Cochrane, Darryl Jones
- X-Rated Movie – Milan Williams
- Flying High – Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary
- Three Times a Lady – Lionel Richie
- Such a Woman – Walter Orange
- Say Yeah – Lionel Richie, Ronald LaPread
- I Like What You Do – Lionel Richie, Walter Orange
- Visions – Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary
Commmodores: Machine Gun
On July 22, 1974, “Motown” label released “Machine Gun”, the debut Commodores studio album. It was recorded 1972 – 1974, at “Motown Recording Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by James Anthony Carmichael, Lionel Ritchie, Ronald LaPread, William King, Walter Orange, Thomas McClary and Milan Williams.
Personnel:
- Lionel Richie- vocals, saxophone, keyboards
- Thomas McClary – vocals, guitar
- Milan Williams- guitar, keyboards
- Ronald LaPread – bass guitar
- Walter Orange – vocals, drums, percussion
- William King – trumpet, percussion
Track listing:
- Machine Gun – Milan Williams
- Young Girls are My Weakness -William King, Ronald LaPread
- I Feel Sanctified – Lionel Richie, Jeffrey Bowen, Ronald LaPread, Walter Orange, Milan Williams, Thomas McClary
- The Bump – Milan Williams
- Rapid Fire – Milan Williams
- The Assembly Line – Gloria Jones,Pam Sawyer
- The Zoo (The Human Zoo) – Gloria Jones, Pam Sawyer
- Gonna Blow Your Mind – Thomas McClary, Walter Orange, Milan Williams
- There’s a Song in My Heart – Lionel Richie
- Superman – Lionel Richie
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