Lionel Richie opens up about his Tuskegee upbringing and surviving Hollywood in this week's PEOPLE issue honoring Black History Month. Full story: peoplem.ag/3oAukDq | People

LIONEL RICHIE, a name synonymous with timeless hits and profound influence in the music industry, turns 75 today. Born Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. on June 20, 1949, in Tuskegee, Alabama, Richie’s journey from a young talent in Alabama to an international music icon is nothing short of remarkable. Richie first made his mark in the 1970s as a pivotal member of the Commodores, the Motown group known for its blend of funky dance tracks and soulful ballads. Songs like "Easy," "Three Times a Lady," and