Lionel Richie: Icon Courting Young Fans

Lionel Richie has staying power.

For the past three decades, he has not only survived -- but thrived -- in the music industry, becoming one of the most successful R&B singers and songwriters of all time.

And Richie kicked off The Early Show's Summer Concert Series Friday on the deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City.

Richie, known for tear-jerking ballads such as "My Love" and perennial party anthems like "Dancing on the Ceiling," is back with a brand new album, "Just Go." He said it has a "fresh" sound.

Richie said he's now recruiting a new generation of fans -- who may have known of his daughter, Nicole Richie, first.

"I am now being attacked by the 10- to 11 year-olds," Richie told Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez.

His new album is the product of material written by young songwriters, such as Grammy-nominated singer Akon. Richie said all he does today is "bring Lionel Richie to the table."

But die-hard Richie fans, don't despair: You'll get a chance to hear a Richie original composition on the new album. Richie says he wanted to include the song, called "Eternity," because it addresses the new era, particularly with Barack Obama as president.

And 2009 is a different time from when Richie began singing. He started his career in the 1970s as a college freshman at Tuskegee University, joining a group that came to be known as The Commodores.

Richie told Rodriguez the hits he made with them are some of his most requested songs, including "Brick House" and "Easy," which he performed on The Early Show. Richie also sang his solo hit, "All Night Long" and the title track of his new album, "Just Go."

Richie's '70s music is still attracting listeners. Longtime fans asked Richie on The Early Show who the woman was in his first chart-topper with The Commodores, "Three Times a Lady."

Richie revealed the woman was actually his mother. Richie told the story of a speech his father gave one Thanksgiving, sentimentally thanking Richie's mother for being an amazing lady, friend and person. Richie said the story inspired the song.

Richie said, "Three times a lady -- (that's) my mom."

Richie left The Commodores in 1982 to pursue a solo career and became a hit maker in his own right. The five-time Grammy winner dominated the charts throughout the '80s, and his writing talent was tapped by singers such as Diana Ross, Kenny Rogers and Michael Jackson.

Now, he's reaching out to young singers like he was, drawing on their talent to help cement his place in music history.