Commodores Light Up The SHOW

Story and Photos by Pat Krause

The 4th of July celebration started early with the Commodores concert on July 3. THE SHOW brought this legendary band to the desert to open the holiday weekend festivities, and what a way to begin.

Original Member, William King -photo by Pat Krause

There is only one original member of the Commodores still performing with the group, William King. Lead singer Brent Carter has been with the band for years, and there is also a special legacy of family in the lineup. Colin and Cody, the twin sons of former member Walter Clyde Orange, now play in the group. The Commodores are backed by their band, The Mean Machine.

They opened the show with songs like “Easy” and “Sail On,” immediately bringing the audience back to the music that has made them famous for generations.

Original member, William King and Lead singer, Brent Carter - photo by Pat Krause

This concert had the most audience participation I have ever witnessed. The group said they were so happy to be back in the desert again because they have the best fans. Fans of all ages filled the seats, and it was like watching the Commodores all over again as the four singers danced in unison to most of the songs. Their choreographed movements were the kind you saw with groups so long ago, and it brought back that classic feeling.

Lead singer, Brent Carter - photo by Pat Krause

At one point, they said there is so much hate out there today that they wanted everyone to shake hands and meet the fans seated next to them. Everyone stood up, reached out to other members of the audience, and smiled. When asked, the audience stood up, waved their arms, and clapped along to the music. They asked if everyone was happy and then gave three ways in life to accomplish that.

One song had the ladies in the audience stand up for “Lady Up.” Almost every woman stood, and many sang along. Carter talked to the fans throughout the show, asking them to wave their arms or dance by their chairs. He even got down into the audience at one point to shake hands, dance, and sing with fans on the microphone.

Cody Orange, William King, Brent Carter and Colin Orange. -photo by Pat Krause

King introduced each member of the band. When he introduced the twins, he remarked that he had known them since they were just babies and said he was proud of them.

Cody Orange and Colin Orange, sons of former member Walter Orange -photo by Pat Krause

The Commodores have been around for more than 50 years. They have created chart-topping hit songs and earned many awards and accolades. They asked everyone to stand when they sang one of their biggest hits, “Three Times a Lady,” and the audience could be heard singing along and dancing by their seats. The sight of so many arms waving in the air was exhilarating.

They hoped everyone was having a great 4th of July weekend and thanked the crowd for coming to see them. They said they loved these best of fans, and the fans clearly loved them right back.`