Last night, Lionel Richie, the man synonymous with romance and creator of iconic songs like “My First Love” and “Endless Love,” appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Lionel is not only returning to American Idol this Sunday, but his incredible documentary, “The Greatest Night in Pop,” about the making of “We Are the World,” is now available on Netflix.
During the interview, Jimmy Kimmel asked Lionel about his Valentine’s Day plans. Lionel revealed that he had a sexy dinner with a few couples and took a moment to appreciate the love around him. He also shared that a song without lyrics is what gets him in the mood, especially some jazz or German techno.
The conversation then turned to Lionel’s documentary, “The Greatest Night in Pop.” Jimmy reminisced about his experience of sitting between Lionel Richie and Huey Lewis at the premiere. Lionel revealed that Huey was a nervous wreck throughout the entire documentary because he was informed at the last minute that he was taking over Prince’s part. Despite Huey’s nerves, the documentary turned out to be an incredible experience, full of interesting insights into the making of “We Are the World.”
The talk show host also asked Lionel if he learned anything new while watching the documentary. Lionel expressed his surprise at realizing how much trouble they were in during the taping. He recalled hosting the American Music Awards just days before the recording session, staying up until 7 am, and even enjoying some Rosco’s Chicken and Waffles. As it turns out, the idea of singing a verse in Swahili, suggested by Stevie Wonder, didn’t sit well with Waylon Jennings, who promptly walked out on the session.
Lionel also shared some amusing anecdotes from the recording session. He talked about Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan‘s interactions, with Stevie even imitating Bob Dylan to help him sing his line. Additionally, Lionel revealed that Dan Aykroyd was invited to participate because they needed a vibe, given his coolness factor from being a Ghostbuster and Saturday Night Live cast member.
The conversation then led to an interesting point about the inclusion of Cindy Lauper in “We Are the World.” Lionel explained that they needed an identifiable voice, and Cindy had that quality, which is why she was chosen over Madonna. Ultimately, it was essential to have voices that people knew right away, even if their part in the song was just a half-line.
While talking about the documentary, Lionel couldn’t help but share a hilarious story involving Michael Jackson and a snake. During a visit to Lionel’s house, Michael lost his pet snake and hilarity ensued as they tried to locate it. Eventually, they found the snake, but the memory still brings back comedic horror.
Towards the end of the interview, Jimmy Kimmel brought up Katie Perry’s announcement that she was leaving American Idol. Lionel admitted that he was surprised by the news, but he understood that Katie wanted to go and create her own stories as a young artist. As for her replacement, Lionel couldn’t reveal any specific names but teased that it would be interesting.
Lionel Richie‘s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live was filled with laughter, nostalgia, and entertaining stories. It’s evident that Lionel’s passion for music and his vast experience in the industry make him a valuable asset to American Idol. So, get ready for the return of American Idol this Sunday on ABC and don’t miss the opportunity to watch “The Greatest Night in Pop” on Netflix.
Catch the full interview and more intriguing moments from Lionel Richie‘s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the chat show and all your favorite celebrities.
