Lionel Richie (Photo Courtesy: Joel Ryan/Invision/AP, File)

Musician Lionel Richie addressed more than 1,000 graduates at the Berklee College of Music after accepting an honorary degree.

The Boston Globe reports (http://bit.ly/2rfvt4e ) that Richie spoke at the school’s commencement Saturday at the Agganis Arena in Boston.

Richie gained fame in the 1970s as a member of the R&B group The Commodores. The award-winning recording artist and songwriter went on to have a successful solo career with hits such as “All Night Long,’” “Hello” and “Endless Love.”

Richie talked about choosing songwriting and/or performing as a career, telling the graduates: “You are sitting in prime seats to tell the world what’s on your mind.”

Richie was among five music-industry professionals who received an honorary degree of doctor of music.