Berry Gordy Jr.
Berry Gordy Jr. was the founder of the Motown Record Label. He founded it in 1959, with a $800 loan from the Gordy Family Business. He had the heart of an entrepreneur, and with a love for music, and gift for songwriting, he succeeded in the Record Business. He was one of eight, and had a very list of previous occupations before starting Motown Records. He had been an assembly line worker, a record store owner, took a US Army tour in Korea, and was even a boxer, inspired by legend Joe Lewis.
He was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1929, and at the age of 28 was introduced to Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, and began creating portfolios for them. Two years later, he borrowed an $800 loan from the Gordy Family Business, and founded his own record label called Tamla Records, but less than a year later, he changed his record name to Motown Records, with Smokey Robinson as Vice President. Their first hit under the Motown Record Label was "Bad Girl" written by the Miracles.
He was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1929, and at the age of 28 was introduced to Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, and began creating portfolios for them. Two years later, he borrowed an $800 loan from the Gordy Family Business, and founded his own record label called Tamla Records, but less than a year later, he changed his record name to Motown Records, with Smokey Robinson as Vice President. Their first hit under the Motown Record Label was "Bad Girl" written by the Miracles.
Gordy owned the Motown Business from 1959 to 1988, and through the Civil Rights Era. Many historians argue that he was as prominent a figure in Black History as Dr. Martin Luther King himself. As MLK was the face of civil change, Barry Gordy was the face of civil culture.
The key to Motown's success and fame was that Barry Gordy was a visionary. He made the appearance of Motown Performers a big focus in the industry. Gordy taught them how to "sit" and "stand" and "speak with elegance". He also had all the musical groups and performers where costumes, for example, the temptations were famous for wearing suits, and the Supremes were known for wearing identical red dresses. He also focused on choreographing dances for the performers to go along with their singing, to make their shows that much enjoyable. His famous quote was "A kid could walk in one door, an unknown off the street, and come out the
other a polished performer.”
Gordy sold Motown in 1988, due to the rapid change in pop-culture, however, the legacy of Motown Records continues to live on. Gordy was elected in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and is still alive today.
https://www.motownmuseum.org/story/berry-gordy/
other a polished performer.”
Gordy sold Motown in 1988, due to the rapid change in pop-culture, however, the legacy of Motown Records continues to live on. Gordy was elected in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and is still alive today.
https://www.motownmuseum.org/story/berry-gordy/