In 1990 the Commodores formed Commodores Records and re-recorded their 20 greatest hits as "Commodores Hits Vol. "Nightshift" won The Commodores their first Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals in 1985. Thus came the inspiration upon the one year anniversary of Jackson's death, to re-record, with new lyrics, the hit song "Nightshift" as a tribute. Nicholas added Jackson's name into the lyrics of the song, and thenceforth the Commodores have mentioned Jackson and other R&B singers. The next night in Birmingham's NIA Arena, J.D. However, back in their dressing rooms they received confirmation and broke down in tears. Initially the band thought it was a hoax. The Commodores were on their European Tour, performing at Wembley Arena, London on June 25, 2009, when they were advised that Michael Jackson had died. In 2010 a new version was recorded dedicated to Michael Jackson. The band remained hitless until 1985 when their final Motown album, "Nightshift", produced by Dennis Lambert-all prior albums were produced by James Anthony Carmichael)-delivered the Grammy Award-winning title track " Nightshift" (#3 in the U.S.) It was a tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson. In 1984 former Heatwave singer James Dean "J.D." Nicholas assumed co-lead vocal duties with drummer Walter Orange. The group also gradually abandoned its funk roots and moved into the more commercial pop arena. Keyboardist Milan Williams exited the band in 1989. LaPread left in 1986 and moved to Auckland, New Zealand, and Reynolds departed for Earth, Wind & Fire in 1987, which prompted trumpeter William "WAK" King to take over primary guitar duties for live performances. McClary was replaced by guitarist/vocalist Sheldon Reynolds. Thomas McClary left in 1982 (shortly after Richie) to pursue a solo career and to develop a gospel music company. Over time, several founding members left. In 1983, Skyler Jett replaced Richie as co-lead singer. In 1982, Lionel Richie left to pursue a solo career. They performed the song "Too Hot ta Trot" during the dance contest the songs "Brick House" and "Easy" were also played during the movie. The Commodores made a brief appearance in the 1978 film Thank God It's Friday. (Orange was the lead singer on the Top 10 hits "Brick House" and " Nightshift".) Lionel Richie and Orange alternated as lead singers. Ingram, older than the rest of the band, left to serve active duty in Vietnam, and was later replaced by Walter "Clyde" Orange, who would write or co-write many of their hit tunes. They performed mostly cover tunes and some original songs with their first singer, James Ingram (not the famous solo artist). After winning the university's annual freshman talent contest, they played at fraternity parties as well as a weekend gig at the Black Forest Inn, one of a few clubs in Tuskegee that catered to college students. The band originated while its members attended Tuskegee University in Alabama. In 1981 they released two Top Ten hits with "Oh No" (#4) and their first upbeat single in almost five years, " Lady (You Bring Me Up)" (#8). In 1979 the Commodores scored another Top Five ballad, "Sail On", before reaching the top of the charts once again with another ballad, " Still". The group reached #1 in 1978 with the sweet " Three Times a Lady". In 1977 the Commodores released " Easy", which became the group's biggest hit yet, reaching #4 in the U.S., followed by "Brick House", also Top 5, both from their landmark album "The Commodores", as was "Zoom". That move was hinted at in their 1976 Top Ten hits "Sweet Love" and " Just to Be Close to You". After those recordings the group started to move towards a softer sound. Three albums released in 19 ( Caught in the Act, Movin' On, and Hot On The Tracks) are considered the peak of their harder funk period. Another instrumental, " Cebu" (named after an island in the Philippines), later became a staple in the Quiet storm format. It reached #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975. " Machine Gun", the instrumental title track from the band's debut album, became a staple at American sporting events, and is similarly featured in many films, including Boogie Nights and Looking for Mr. "We lucked out," he remarked with a laugh when telling this story to Peoplemagazine. To choose a new name, William "WAK" King opened a dictionary and randomly picked a word. The Commodores originally came together from two former groups, the Mystics and the Jays, but wanted to change the name.