Missing in Action

Remember when pop acts used to come out with a new album every six months? Now it’s getting to the point where you feel lucky if they give us something every six years. So Pop Eye is starting a service checking into what’s happening with some of pop’s key absentees. First case: Lionel Richie, whose last album was released in 1986.

Richie’s manager Freddy DeMann was close-mouthed when asked last week about Richie’s next move, saying only that “something major” is brewing. We asked for details, but DeMann--who also represents Madonna--said we’d have to wait for an announcement in two weeks.

Gee, could it be that Richie’s going to release a “greatest hits” album in February, a collection that--brace yourself--contains three new songs. That’s what a Motown source says.