Lionel Richie: Road To The BET Awards 2014

The legendary singer's path to the hottest night in music.

Pen Mightier Than the Sword - There's no doubt that Lionel Richie's influence on the world of music is nothing short of amazing. From catchy pop lyrics to uplifting contemporary songs, Richie has shown a musical diversity like no other artist from our time. Because of that, we'd like you to help us honor Richie as the recipient of the Lifetime Achivement Award on June 29 at BET Awards '14. Meet us there!(Photo: Courtesy of Mercury Nashville Records)

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Lionel Richie: Road To The BET Awards 2014 - After nearly 50 years of contributing chart topping hits to soul, pop and country charts, the amazing career of Lionel Richie will be celebrated when the 64-year-receives the lifetime achievement award at the BET Awards 2014 ceremony. The broadcast, hosted by Chris Rock, will air live on June 29 at 8 p.m. from Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Here's a look back at Richie's year path to this amazing honor. (Photo: Courtesy of Mercury Nashville Records)

Lionel Can’t Slow Down — August 13, 2013 - Lionel Richie may be a legendary singer songwriter and beloved member of the old school class of soul music, but the Tuskegee, Alabama native has embraced social media to keep his sound and career new school. On this date, Richie reached the lofty goal of achieving 1 million Facebook fans. He said to his followers, “Thank you to my 1 million FB fans for your love and support.” (Photo: Courtesy of Mercury Nashville Records)

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Lionel Can’t Slow Down — August 13, 2013 - Lionel Richie may be a legendary singer songwriter and beloved member of the old school class of soul music, but the Tuskegee, Alabama native has embraced social media to keep his sound and career new school. On this date, Richie reached the lofty goal of achieving 1 million Facebook fans. He said to his followers, “Thank you to my 1 million FB fans for your love and support.” (Photo: Courtesy of Mercury Nashville Records)

Lionel Can’t Slow Down — August 13, 2013 - Lionel Richie may be a legendary singer songwriter and beloved member of the old school class of soul music, but the Tuskegee, Alabama native has embraced social media to keep his sound and career new school. On this date, Richie reached the lofty goal of achieving 1 million Facebook fans. He said to his followers, “Thank you to my 1 million FB fans for your love and support.” (Photo: Courtesy of Mercury Nashville Records)

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Lionel Can’t Slow Down — August 13, 2013 - Lionel Richie may be a legendary singer songwriter and beloved member of the old school class of soul music, but the Tuskegee, Alabama native has embraced social media to keep his sound and career new school. On this date, Richie reached the lofty goal of achieving 1 million Facebook fans. He said to his followers, “Thank you to my 1 million FB fans for your love and support.” (Photo: Courtesy of Mercury Nashville Records)

American Idol In China — August 27, 2013 - Richie’s infections sound has always had a global reach. He spread his musical love to his Far East fans when he performed on Chinese Idol in Shanghai on this date. Lionel and Chinese Idol judge Coco Lee treated audiences to a duet of "Endless Love", a song he made famous with legendary pop diva Diana Ross. (Photo: Courtesy of 19 Entertainment)

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American Idol In China — August 27, 2013 - Richie’s infections sound has always had a global reach. He spread his musical love to his Far East fans when he performed on Chinese Idol in Shanghai on this date. Lionel and Chinese Idol judge Coco Lee treated audiences to a duet of "Endless Love", a song he made famous with legendary pop diva Diana Ross. (Photo: Courtesy of 19 Entertainment)

Hottest Festival Headliner — October 8, 2013 - After completing a successful run at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in July 2013, Consequence of Sound named Lionel the Best Headliner on October 8. Richie won the distinction by closing the Texas music celebration with extended performances of hits, “All Night Long” the global classic he co-penned with Michael Jackson, “We Are The World.” (Photo:  ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)

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Hottest Festival Headliner — October 8, 2013 - After completing a successful run at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in July 2013, Consequence of Sound named Lionel the Best Headliner on October 8. Richie won the distinction by closing the Texas music celebration with extended performances of hits, “All Night Long” the global classic he co-penned with Michael Jackson, “We Are The World.” (Photo:  ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)

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When Soul Met Country — December 4, 2013 - Lionel admitted that both classical and country music have been huge influences in his journey as songwriter and singer. Richie drove that point home by appearing in a very special performance on Country Music Television Artists of the Year show with country superstar Luke Bryan. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)

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When Soul Met Country — December 4, 2013 - Lionel admitted that both classical and country music have been huge influences in his journey as songwriter and singer. Richie drove that point home by appearing in a very special performance on Country Music Television Artists of the Year show with country superstar Luke Bryan. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)

Lionel To Rock The Big Easy— January 8, 2014 - Richie, already playing sold out stadium shows in his worldwide “All the Hits, All Night Long” tour announces he will be performing at the 20th annual Essence Festival in New Orleans. He’ll be rocking the stage this summer during the festival dates July 3 thru 6. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS)

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Lionel To Rock The Big Easy— January 8, 2014 - Richie, already playing sold out stadium shows in his worldwide “All the Hits, All Night Long” tour announces he will be performing at the 20th annual Essence Festival in New Orleans. He’ll be rocking the stage this summer during the festival dates July 3 thru 6. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS)

All the Hits All Night Long - Lionel Richie will be performing his classic hits, spanning 30 years, this summer and has recruited Cee-Lo Green to help him keep the party going all night long.Cop your tickets here at www.lionelrichie.com.(Photos from left: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images, Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)

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Hitting the Road With Cee-Lo— February 12, 2014 - Lionel didn’t just decide to extend his sold out global tour, but on this date he announced that when it hits North America during the summer, the pop king Cee-Lo Green will be his special guest. (Photos from left: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images, Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)

Pop Kings Sharing the Stage — March 14, 2014 - Lionel and classic pop idol John Farnham start their joint tour for the Australia/New Zealand leg of Richie’s world tour. Combined, the two have nearly 80 years of hit songs that keep concert-going audiences on their feet.(Photos from left: Rick Kern/WireImage, Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

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Pop Kings Sharing the Stage — March 14, 2014 - Lionel and classic pop idol John Farnham start their joint tour for the Australia/New Zealand leg of Richie’s world tour. Combined, the two have nearly 80 years of hit songs that keep concert-going audiences on their feet.(Photos from left: Rick Kern/WireImage, Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The Commodores - The Commodores are suing former group member Thomas McClary, who left the funk/soul band more than 30 years ago to go solo. Recently, McClary's been performing their old hits like "Brick House" and "Easy" as The Commodores and Thomas McClary, and the originals want a piece of the money.(Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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Commodore Mini-Reunion — March 25, 2014 - Songs like “Brick House” and “Too Hot To Trot” took on a new meaning on this date. The legendary bassist of the Commodores, Ronald LaPread hit the stage with Richie for an unforgettable final show of the Australia and New Zealand tour.(Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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Lionel’s Tour Does Japan—March 27, 2014 - Richie highly successful worldwide tour hits Asia and Middle East. On this date Lionel took his live hit parade to Yokohama, Japan. On March 31st his stage act hit Tokyo, Japan, and by April, the pop soul legend’s stage act arrived in Dubai.(Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS)

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Lionel’s Tour Does Japan—March 27, 2014 - Richie highly successful worldwide tour hits Asia and Middle East. On this date Lionel took his live hit parade to Yokohama, Japan. On March 31st his stage act hit Tokyo, Japan, and by April, the pop soul legend’s stage act arrived in Dubai.(Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS)

Year’s Hottest CMT Performance — May 19, 2014 - Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan rocked Country Music Television Awards in December 2013, when they treated audiences to a surprise performance. And on this date, the duo was nominated for the CMT Performance of the Year award. (Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)

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Year’s Hottest CMT Performance — May 19, 2014 - Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan rocked Country Music Television Awards in December 2013, when they treated audiences to a surprise performance. And on this date, the duo was nominated for the CMT Performance of the Year award. (Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)

Commodore Reunion No More — May 21, 2014 - Lionel Richie announced he has forever turned his back on a full Commodores reunion, because of the tragic loss of late band mate Milan Williams. He tells EW.com, "Everything was great until we lost Milan, the keyboard player, which makes a reunion kind of strange,” Richie says. ”I think I lost the spark of that fantasy, of all of us crazy guys on stage." (Photo:  Mike Prior/Redferns)

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Commodore Reunion No More — May 21, 2014 - Lionel Richie announced he has forever turned his back on a full Commodores reunion, because of the tragic loss of late band mate Milan Williams. He tells EW.com, "Everything was great until we lost Milan, the keyboard player, which makes a reunion kind of strange,” Richie says. ”I think I lost the spark of that fantasy, of all of us crazy guys on stage." (Photo:  Mike Prior/Redferns)

Lionel Richie: June 20 - The "Hello" singer is 65 years old this week. (Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)

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Lifetime Achiever Speaks — May 23, 2014 - When asked about receiving the 2014 BET Lifetime Achievement Award, Lionel Richie told Huffington Post, "I don't take it lightly, especially from BET because I know, I know the talent that's there. So, I'm quite honored," he said. "I was shocked ... I didn't realize I had finally grown up to that stage." Richie will also perform his decades of hits at the live broadcast. (Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)