Rock and Soul: Thomas McClary Founder of The Commodores

Riveting, rousing, and outright inspiring, Rock & Soul is an intimate portrait of the legendary Thomas McClary, founder of the world-renowned musical group The Commodores and creator of what many refer to as the signature sound.

The Civil Rights Movement provided the ultimate backdrop that thrusted McClary into an early life of activism and historical triumphs as the first black student to integrate Lake County Public Schools in his hometown of Eustis, Florida. Reared with a tremendous work ethic, he arose from the concrete of societal imposed standards with fervor for life, family, and music.

The early days of leaving home to attend Tuskegee University to pursue education proved to be pivotal as McClary relentlessly laid the foundation to form a sound and a family of talent that the world had yet to witness. Countless hours with his guitar, and blood, sweat, and tears became synonymous with crafting a sound that intricately fused rhythm and blues, funk and rock, pop and jazz, and moved audiences to undeniable emotion with a language that knew no barriers — music. Signed to Motown, under the tutelage of musical mastermind Berry Gordy, and amidst the pleasures and perils of the entertainment industry, there were no records or rules that could not be broken. In the midst of discovering divine purpose, McClary experienced an atmospheric shift that changed the trajectory of his commitment to community, music, and family, giving him a new perspective on life and the way in which it should be lived.

Poetic justice prevails in the fate of the fight for life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. Rock & Soul redefines the notion of dreaming beyond your front door, to discover the deepest layers of yourself, and the need to walk in power, passion, and purpose.