These two Motown legends get confused for each other more often than you might think.
Appearing on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on April 30, legendary singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson discussed his decades-long friendship with fellow musical legend Lionel Richie.
But along with their lasting friendship comes some confusion, and Robinson revealed that the two often get mistaken for each other in public.
βLionel (Richie) and I tease each other about this because people always call him Smokey Robinson and always call me Lionel,β Robinson said.
Robinson recalled a moment in an airport when some fans spotted the “King of Motown” while he was attempting to stay incognito. One person approached him and said, “IΒ got all your music. I got everything you’ve ever done. I love you so much. I can’t believe it’s you sitting here,” Robinson told Kimmel.
After expressing love for the singer, the fan asked Robinson to meet his girlfriend and to sign a specific message for her.
“‘Would you sign, ‘Love to Sarah, from Lionel Richie’?” Robinson quoted.
“And what did you say?” Kimmel asked Robinson.
“I signed, ‘Love to Sarah, from Lionel Richie!'” Robinson replied while he and Kimmel burst into laughter.
Robinson and Richie have been friends “forever,” Robinson said after Kimmel showed a photo of the duo with funk artist Rick James from 1980.
Before Richie became a solo sensation, Robinson knew Richie as “the guy with the biggest afro in the Commodores,” he said while presenting Richie with the Icon Award at the American Music Awards in 2022.
Robinson previously commented on the two getting mixed up in public at the same award presentation.
“I call him Smokey, he calls me Lionel,” Robinson said on stage. “No matter who you think we are, we’re always grateful for our wonderful fans and we love you so much.”
Robinson released a new album on April 25 titled, “What the World Needs Now,” featuring Robinson’s covers of legendary songs like Bill Withers’ “Lean On Me” and William DeVaughn’s “Be Thankful For What You Got.”
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