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Commodores member Walter Orange is scheduled to play this weekend in a charity concert sponsored by the Quality of Life Association (QUOLA)/Physicians Affiliates.

Better known as “Clyde” Orange, or “Sweet Clyde,” he sung and played drums in the J-Notes before joining the Commodores in 1969, according to his bio information on the Miss FunkyFlyy’s Web site. From Florida, he studied music at Alabama State College.

Early in The Commodores history, Orange was the lead singer before Lionel Ritchie began sharing the singing chores then became the group’s primary vocalist. But it was Orange whose vocals fans will remember from Commodores hits like “Young Girls Are My Weakness,” “Too Hot Ta Trot,” and “Brick House.”

He wrote songs such as “Don’t You Be Worried,” “Wide Open,” “(Can I) Get a Witness,” “Can’t Let You Tease Me,” “This Love,” etc., and helped co-write “I Feel Sanctified,” “Gonna Blow Your Mind,” “You Don’t Know That I Know,” “Brick House,” and many others.

In the early 1980s, with Ritchie pursuing his solo career, Orange produced “Nothing Like a Woman.”

Orange wrote the Commodore’s biggest hit with “Nightshift,” a moving tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson. The song was No. 1 on the charts for four weeks and won the Commodores a Grammy.

According to MTV.com, Orange, who was the only Commodores member with music training, was instrumental not only in developing the band’s early sound, but in selecting the name. After no luck in choosing a name, Orange reportedly tossed a dictionary to trumpet player William King and told him to select a name. King selected the Commodores.

By the 1990s, the Commodores were down to three main members: Orange, King and J.D. Nicholas, who stepped in as vocalist after Ritchie’s departure.



CHARITY CONCERT

QUOLA and Physicians Affiliates sponsors a concert by Commodore Walter Orange.

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Southeast Elementary School, 930 Old Statenville Road.

Admission: $25 donation requested.