Lionel Richie ’s new memoir Truly — named after his 1982 debut solo single — is packed with personal stories from his decades in music. One excerpt in particular that has amped up the anticipation for the book, is one that speaks of his longtime, late friend Michael Jackson .

The 76-year-old Grammy winner and American Idol judge recently told PEOPLE that while much of the writing process for his memoir tested his memory, he said he’d never forget Michael Jackson’s approach to hygiene.

Richie shared that Quincy Jones allegedly gave Jackson the nickname “Smelly,” a moniker he claimed the singer took in stride. “Michael would laugh too, realizing that he was oblivious to the fact that he hadn’t changed or washed his clothes for a couple of days or so,” Richie recalled.

He expl

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