Lionel Richie’s Music Career Through the Decades

Lionel Richie
Image: biography.com

A former Wall Street executive, Geoffrey “Geoff” J. Block now lives in South Carolina, where he has owned and operated RLB Squared since 2013. Outside of work, Geoff Block enjoys listening to the music of several artists such as Lionel Richie.

Lionel Richie celebrated his 70th birthday on June 20, 2019. In honor of the popular singer-songwriter, here’s a look at Richie’s career over the decades since the Alabama-born hitmaker came into the public eye in the 1970s.

In 1971, Richie’s band, the Commodores, which he joined while a college student at the Tuskegee Institute, opened for the Jackson 5. The group went on to achieve chart-topping success later in the decade with the Richie-penned ballads, Three Times a Lady and Still.

Richie’s profile increases as he collaborated with artists like Diana Ross and Kenny Rogers. His growing popularity led to his 1981 split with the Commodores. He released his first solo album in 1982. His stardom rose over the next several years, and by 1987 he ranked among the decade’s most commercially successful male solo artists. During this time, he recorded an astounding 13 consecutive top 10 hits, including All Night Long (All Night), Hello, and Say You, Say Me.

In the early 1990s, Richie’s production as an artist slowed down and he did not record another album until 1996. However, his considerable achievements as a songwriter resulted in his earning induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1994.

Richie releases two albums that performed well in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom. His next two releases, 2006’s Coming Home and 2009’s Just Go, featured collaborations with a number of modern artists. Following the success of the 2012’s more traditional, country-inspired Tuskegee, Richie returned on the road, embarking on what would become a two-year-long world tour. In 2018, he joined the television program American Idol as a judge.

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Yankees Sign First Baseman Logan Morrison

Logan Morrison
Image: mlb.com

In addition to managing the South Carolina-based holding company RLB Squared, LLC, Geoff Block is a member of the Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce and a supporter of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. Outside of his professional and philanthropic pursuits, Geoff Block follows the New York Yankees.

The Yankees have been plagued with injuries through the first month of the 2019 season. Starting first baseman, Greg Bird, is the latest to miss an extended amount of time due to injury, as it was announced in mid-April that he would miss at least one month as a result of plantar fasciitis. As a result, New York signed free agent first baseman Logan Morrison. Expected to provide organizational depth, Morrison will earn $1 million if he plays at the big league level this season. In the meantime, he has reported to extended Spring Training.

A 31-year-old native of Kansas City, Missouri, Morrison is only two seasons removed from a career-best year in which he hit 38 home runs and recorded 85 runs batted in (RBI) with the Tampa Bay Rays. He spent last season with the Minnesota Twins and had 15 home runs and 39 RBI through 95 regular-season games. Throughout 959 career games, Morrison boasts a .239 batting average to go along with 137 home runs and 421 RBI.

About the Jim and Marge Krum Scholarship Foundation

The recipient of a bachelor’s in business from Tulane University, Geoff Block leverages more than 20 years of financial leadership experience to guide the day-to-day operations of the holding company RLB Squared. In addition, Geoff Block supports South Carolina families through the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, which maintains nearly 50 scholarship funds to benefit students pursuing postsecondary education opportunities.

One of the most prominent of these funds is the Jim and Marge Krum Scholarship Foundation. Originally known as the James L. Krum Memorial Scholarship with the Community Foundation, it was established in 2003 by Marge Krum and renamed following her death. The foundation is funded by proceeds from the family’s private foundation.

The Krum Scholarship is the largest in the region and, to date, has awarded in excess of $2 million to 95 Bluffton and Hilton Head Island high school seniors. Recipients are eligible to receive upward of $10,000 per year while pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. In order to receive the scholarship, applicants must possess strong leadership skills, serve their community in some capacity, and have at least a 3.2 GPA.

Other scholarships established through the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry include the James O. Thomason Scholarship, the VanLandingham Rotary Club Scholarship, and the Joan and Wade Webster Scholarship.

The Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Golf Classic

Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce
Image: hiltonheadchamber.org

A successful real estate developer, Geoff Block holds a degree in business from the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University. Geoff Block serves as the manager of South Carolina-based RLB Squared, where he leads the staff and manages the daily real estate development operations of the company. Mr. Block also devotes his time and energy to philanthropic work and nonprofit organizations such as the Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce.

Founded over six decades ago, the Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce works to make Hilton Head’s economy attractive to businesses while also promoting tourism. The Chamber represents more than 1,600 members who benefit from a range of membership perks and programs. The organization also hosts several events such as the Chamber Ball, Restaurant Week, and the annual Golf Classic.

Each year, the Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce’s Golf Classic takes place locally at an exclusive private course. Leading business professionals and executives attend the event, offering a unique opportunity for novice holders and professional golfers to engage in a tournament while enjoying the beautiful course. Each golfer receives a complimentary lunch in addition to drinks and a catered food during the awards reception.

Most recently, the event was held at Sea Pines Resort at the Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III course. For additional information about the event, visit www.hiltonheadchamber.org.