Commodores

The group left Motown in 1986 for Polydor, and released several additional albums, primarily compilations. A version of "When You Walk in the Room" by Pam Tillis in 1994 topped the country charts. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003. The songs "Breakaway" recorded by Tracey Ullman in 1983 and "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" recorded by Annie Lennox and Al Green in 1988 also became huge hits. It has also gradually abandoned funky roots to move into the more commercial disco arena. It earned DeShannon the 1982 Grammy Award for Song of the Year. When Lionel Richie left the band in 1982, it has never recovered its early shine. In 1975 with Donna Weiss, she composed "Queen of the Rodeo" and "Bette Davis Eyes" for her album New Arrangement. The song "Bette Davis Eyes" later became a worldwide Number 1 single for singer Kim Carnes in 1981.

The band jumpstarted careers of Lionel Richie and Walter Orange. While DeShannon hasn't produced any further Top Ten singles of her own, her songs have been covered by other artists who have in turn converted them into hits. Nicholas assumed his place in the group. In 1973 she was invited by Van Morrison to sing on his Hard Nose the Highway album. After Lionel Richie left the band, former Heatwave singer J.D. Switching to Atlantic Records in 1970 and moving to Los Angeles, DeShannon recorded the critically acclaimed albums Jackie and Your Baby Is a Lady but they failed to produce the same commercial successes of previous releases. Band members typically traded lead vocal duties. The single "Love Will Find a Way" off the same album was also a moderate hit.

The Commodores' original lineup was: Lionel Richie (sax), Thomas McClary (guitar), Milan Williams (keyboards), William King (trumpet), Ronald LaPread (bass) and Walter Orange (drums). DeShannon continued writing and recording but it wasn't until 1968 when she scored her next biggest smash single and album, both entitled Put a Little Love in Your Heart. "Machine Gun", the instrumental title track from their debut album, has become a staple at American sporting events, and has been featured in many films, including Boogie Nights. She appeared in the 1967 film C'mon Let's Live a Little with Bobby Vee, as a folk singer. More usually, they recorded funky, driven dance floor hits including "Brick House", "Fancy Dancer", and "Slippery when wet", amongst others. In late 1965, DeShannon recorded Bacharach and David's "What the World Needs Now Is Love" and it provided her first Number 1 hit and regular appearances on television shows and club tours. Now they are perhaps best known for the ballad "Easy", which was not really representative of their output. Moving to New York, DeShannon co-wrote with Randy Newman producing such songs as "She Don't Understand Him" and "Did He Call Today Mama" as well as writing "You Have No Choice" for Delaney Bramblett.

They met as freshmen at Tuskegee Institute, and signed to Motown having first caught the public eye supporting The Jackson Five on tour. When Jimmy Page recorded his first solo single for Fontana Records, DeShannon sang vocals on "Keep Moving", the B-side of "She Just Satisfies". The Commodores was a highly successful soul/funk band in the 1970s. DeShannon also appeared on the television show Ready Steady Go!. Download sample "Brick House" from The Commodores. Both Page and DeShannon also wrote material for singer Marianne Faithfull including her Top Ten UK and US hit "Come and Stay with Me". (1985) Nightshift. Staying briefly in England in 1965, DeShannon formed a songwriting partnership with Jimmy Page, which resulted in hit singles "Dream Boy" and "Don't Turn Your Back on Me".

(1983) Commodores 13. Her music at this stage was heavily influenced by the American West Coast sounds and folk music. (1981) In The Pocket. DeShannon also wrote "Don' Doubt Yourself Babe" for The Byrds debut album. (1980) Heroes. DeShannon's biggest break came in February, 1964 when she supported The Beatles on their first US tour, and formed a touring band with guitarist Ry Cooder. (1979) Midnight Magic. She also co-starred and sang with Bobby Vinton in the teen surf movie Surf Party.

(1978) Natural High. DeShannon dated Elvis Presley and formed friendships with The Everly Brothers and Ricky Nelson. (1977) Zoom. During these years it was her songwriting and public profile, rather than her singing, which kept her contracted to Liberty Records. (1976) Hot On The Tracks. She recorded many other singles that encompassed teen pop, country ballads, rockabilly, gospel and Ray Charles style soul that didn't fare as well on the charts. (1975) Movin' On. English group The Searchers later covered both songs in 1963 for success on the UK charts.

(1975) Caught In The Act. In 1962, DeShannon signed with Liberty Records and recorded "Needles and Pins" and "When You Walk in the Room", with both resulting in major American hits. (1974) Machine Gun. The partnership produced hits such as "Dum Dum" and "He's the Great Imposter" for Brenda Lee and The Fleetwoods respectively. DeShannon was then commissioned to write the soundtrack for the 1961 film Splendor in the Grass. Recording under various names such as Sherry Lee, Jackie Dee, and Jackie Shannon, she had little success however her interpretations of country songs, "Buddy" and "Trouble", gained the attention of Eddie Cochran who arranged for her to travel to California and meet singer songwriter Sharon Sheeley, who formed a writing partnership with DeShannon in 1960. By the age of eleven, DeShannon was already hosting her own radio program.

The daughter of showbusiness parents, Sandra Jean and James Erwin Myers, DeShannon was introduced to singing country tunes on a local radio show at the age of six. Jackie DeShannon was born in Hazel, Kentucky. Record company executives at Liberty Records thought the name Sharon Myers wouldn't sell records. Sharon Myers adopted the name Jackie DeShannon, believed to be an Irish ancestor.

She is one of the first female singer songwriters of the rock 'n' roll period. Jackie DeShannon, real name Sharon Lee Myers, (born August 21, 1944) is an American singer/songwriter with a string of hit song credits from the 1960s onwards. The Catcher (1972) (television series). C'mon Let's Live a Little (1967).

Intimacy (1966). Surf Party (1964). You Know Me (2000). Come and Get Me: Best of 1958-1980 (2000) (compilation).

The Early Years (1998) (compilation). Trouble with Jackie Dee (1991). The Best of Jackie DeShannon (1991) (compilation). Good as Gold! (1990) (compilation).

What the World Needs Now Is ...: The Definitive Collection (1987) (compilation). Jackie DeShannon (1985) (compilation). Pop Princess (1981) (compilation). Together (1980) (soundtrack).

Quick Touches (1978). You're the Only Dancer (1977). The Very Best of Jackie DeShannon (1975) (compilation). New Arrangement (1975).

Your Baby Is a Lady (1974). Jackie (1972). Songs (1971). To Be Free (1970).

Put a Little Love In Your Heart (1969). Laurel Canyon (1969). Lonely Girl (1968) (compilation). What the World Needs Now Is Love (1968).

Me About You (1968). For You (1967). New Image (1967). Are You Ready for This? (1967).

C'Mon Let's Live a Little (1966) (soundtrack). You Won't Forget Me (1965) (compilation). In the Wind (1965). This Is Jackie DeShannon (1965).

Surf Party (1964) (soundtrack). Don't Turn Your Back On Me (1964). Breakin' It Up On the Beatles Tour (1964). Jackie DeShannon (1963).