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Motown.
| Motown Records | |
|---|---|
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
| Official website | www.motownrecords.com |
What happened to Berry Gordy of Motown?
Berry Gordy Jr., the former Detroit auto worker who built Motown Records into what was once the nation’s largest black-owned business, has sold the company for $61 million to MCA Inc. and Boston Ventures Limited Partnership, the companies announced Tuesday.
Who was Berry Gordy?
Berry Gordy, The Visionary Who Made Motown. The founder of Motown Records was born in the city he helped make synonymous with soulfulness, Detroit, on 28 November 1929.
Is Motown synonymous with Berry Gordy?
All the major decisions, I made them personally, and so unfortunately for me, Motown was synonymous with Berry Gordy. At other record companies, when an artist would leave, or they wouldn’t make money, or they weren’t a success, there was no individual singled out. But when one of our artists didn’t make it, it was Berry Gordy’s fault.
How many songs did G Gordy write for Motown?
Gordy sold his interests in Motown Records to MCA and Boston Ventures on June 28, 1988, for $61 million. He later sold most of his interests in Jobete publishing to EMI Publishing. Gordy wrote or co-wrote 240 of the approximately 15,000 songs in Motown's Jobete music catalogue.
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Who owns Motown Records today?
the Universal Music GroupMotown Records is now owned by the Universal Music Group. During the 1980s, when Motown started losing money, Berry Gordy sold Motown Records to MCA Records and Boston Ventures for $61 million.
Did Berry Gordy leave Motown?
Gordy sold his interests in Motown Records to MCA and Boston Ventures on June 28, 1988, for $61 million. He later sold most of his interests in Jobete publishing to EMI Publishing. Gordy wrote or co-wrote 240 of the approximately 15,000 songs in Motown's Jobete music catalogue.
Do Motown still exist?
Motown, as we've come to know it, does not exist anymore. It appears to not be a label, but more of a "label group," now paired with Universal.
What Berry Gordy owns?
Berry Gordy, also called Berry Gordy, Jr., (born November 28, 1929, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.), American businessman, founder of the Motown Record Corporation (1959), which became the most successful Black-owned music company in the United States.
Why did Motown shut down?
Insiders blame Motown's decline on a variety of factors. The one cited most often is that Motown failed to come up with new stars to replace those who moved on to other labels or passed their prime. “If you're not breeding and developing new artists, you're going to have problems,” said Arista's Anderson.
How much is the Gordy family worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, in fact, Berry Gordy's net worth even after he sold Motown Records in 1988 is a gob-smacking $400 million. And the Gordy family continues to be relevant in both music and business.
What is Motown called today?
Motown left Detroit for Los Angeles in 1972, and remained an independent company until 1988, when Gordy sold the company to MCA. Now headquartered in New York City, Motown Records is today a subsidiary of the Universal Motown Records Group, itself a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.
When did Motown shut down?
1972When Motown Records shut down its operations in Detroit at the end of June, 1972, it was a shock – or at least it seems so, in retrospect.
What is Motown's biggest selling album?
Songs In The Key of Life became Motown's most successful album release of the past 60 years, with 14 weeks at the summit and 18 months on the charts.
What is Diana's Ross net worth?
$250 millionWhat is Diana Ross's net worth? According to The Richest, Diana Ross has an estimated net worth of $250 million (£192 million).
How old is Stevie Wonder and what is his net worth?
Stevie Wonder Net WorthNet Worth:$200 MillionDate of Birth:May 13, 1950 (72 years old)Gender:MaleHeight:6 ft (1.84 m)Profession:Record producer, Drummer, Organist, Keyboard Player, Pianist, Composer, Singer-songwriter, Multi-instrumentalist, Musician, Actor1 more row
Why did Berry Gordy sell Motown Records?
Gordy said he decided to sell the stake in the publishing catalogue in part because he had become disenchanted with the industry. Under terms of the deal, EMI will assume administration of the company's day-to-day operations. ''Today's business climate is not for me,'' Mr.
When did the Motown era end?
When Motown Records shut down its operations in Detroit at the end of June, 1972, it was a shock – or at least it seems so, in retrospect.
Why did Berry Gordy sell Motown Records?
Gordy said he decided to sell the stake in the publishing catalogue in part because he had become disenchanted with the industry. Under terms of the deal, EMI will assume administration of the company's day-to-day operations. ''Today's business climate is not for me,'' Mr.
Was Michael Jackson close to Berry Gordy?
Along with his decades-long friendship with Berry, Michael also forged a great bond with Diana Ross.
Who was the most popular Motown singer?
Diana Ross and The Supremes were the most successful group or artist in Motown's history by at least one measure — their 12 Billboard No. 1 singles.
Who is Berry Gordy Jr?
Berry Gordy III (born November 28, 1929), known professionally as Berry Gordy Jr., is an American record executive, record producer, songwriter, film producer and television producer. He is best known as the founder of the Motown record label and its subsidiaries, which was the highest-earning African-American ...
What was Gordy Berry's third release?
The record did not sell well and is now one of the rarest issues from the Motown stable. Berry's third release was " Bad Girl " by the Miracles, the first release on the Motown record label.
How much did Gordy sell his records to?
Gordy sold his interests in Motown Records to MCA and Boston Ventures on June 28, 1988, for $61 million. He later sold most of his interests in Jobete publishing to EMI Publishing. Gordy wrote or co-wrote 240 of the approximately 15,000 songs in Motown's Jobete music catalogue.
What is Gordy known for?
He was known for carefully directing the public image, dress, manners, and choreography of his acts. In 1988, Gordy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2016, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama .
Why did Gordy win the Medal of Arts?
In 2016, Gordy received the National Medal of Arts from President Obama for "helping to create a trailblazing new sound in American music. As a record producer and songwriter, he helped build Motown, launching the music careers of countless legendary artists. His unique sound helped shape our Nation's story."
Where is Berry Gordy House?
Berry Gordy House, known as the Motown mansion, in Detroit's Boston-Edison Historic District. Gordy's gift for identifying and bringing together musical talent, along with the careful management of his artists' public image, made Motown a major national and then international success.
When did Motown record company merge with Tamla?
The Tamla and Motown labels were then merged into a new company, Motown Record Corporation, incorporated on April 14, 1960. In 1960, Gordy signed an unknown singer, Mary Wells, who became the fledgling label's second star, with Smokey Robinson penning her hits " You Beat Me to the Punch ", " Two Lovers ", and " My Guy ". The Miracles' hit " Shop Around " peaked at No. 1 on the national R&B charts in late 1960 and at No. 2 on the Billboard magazine pop charts on January 16, 1961 (No. 1 pop, Cash Box ), which established Motown as an independent company worthy of notice. Later in 1961, the Marvelettes ' " Please Mr. Postman " made it to the top of both charts.
Why did Berry Gordy and his wife come to Georgia?
and his wife, Bertha Fuller Gordy, came North from Georgia to find a better life for themselves and their family. Gordy Family.
Who was the chairman of Motown Records?
THE CHAIRMAN. After years at the helm of Motown Records, Berry took the role of board chairman, allowing the younger generation an opportunity to lead the company into a new era. He sold the company in 1988, but his connection to the “Sound of Young America” is unbreakable and eternal. Notifications.
What is Motown Museum?
Motown Museum is the beating heart of the extraordinary Motown legacy—a destination that brings together people and ideas from different generations, and celebrates the past while simultaneously building a bridge to the future. About Motown Museum.
What is the Motown legacy?
Motown Legacy. As an irresistible force of social and cultural change, the legendary Motown portfolio made its mark not just on the music industry, but society at large, with a signature Motown Sound that has become one of the most significant musical accomplishments and stunning success stories of the 20th century.
Who was the Motown leader in the 1970s?
No one could out-Motown a member of the Motown clan! The same vision that conceived of Motown Records led Berry Gordy, Jr., into the movie industry in the 1970s.
Who was the Motown artist who starred in Lady Sings the Blues?
Although he had moved into a different medium, Berry’s eye for talent was evident in the casting of Billy Dee Williams opposite Diana Ross in two films, Lady Sings the Blues and Mahogany. Hit movies followed his move to Los Angeles, with Motown artists, like Diana Ross and Michael Jackson starring in films Gordy produced, including the film adaptation of the Broadway musical, The Wiz.
Who is the founder of Motown Records?
Berry Gordy: The Visionary Who Made Motown. The founder of Motown Records was born in the city he helped make synonymous with soulfulness, Detroit, on November 28, 1929.
When did Motown the Musical come out?
Motown: The Musical rode the endless tidal wave of affection for the company’s legacy, after premiering on Broadway in April 2013, and that indestructible love affair continues with the admirable documentary to which the executive has been key, Hitsville: The Making Of Motown.
When was Motown Records founded?
We could only be talking about Motown Records, founded on January 12, 1959 by Berry Gordy Jr, who was born in the city he helped make synonymous with soulfulness, Detroit, on November 28, 1929.
Was Gordy's Motown company successful?
Almost from the beginning, Gordy had success beyond the size he could cope with. As “Come To Me” began to expand beyond Detroit and turn into a national success, his embryonic Motown company was, as yet, far too small to do it justice.
How old is Gordy from Motown?
Although Gordy sold the record label in 1988 and later parceled off its song-publishing arm, the 89-year-old has remained very much in the business of Motown. In recent years, his creative pursuits have included a Broadway musical and a Showtime documentary about the company.
Who is Berry Gordy?
Berry Gordy, the Detroit native who built Motown Records from a shoestring operation into a music, film and television empire, told a hometown crowd Sunday night that he is at last retiring.
How did Gordy influence the world?
The enterprising Gordy helped revolutionize American and global culture via Motown , shepherding young Detroit talent and eventually churning out stars such as Diana Ross & the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations and the Jackson 5.
How long did Mickey Stevenson's car disappear?
And he bantered with Motown's Mickey Stevenson, seated in the front row, recounting the time he loaned his car to the roguish A&R chief for a lunch trip — only to have Stevenson and the vehicle disappear for two days.
How long was Gordy's speech?
Gordy's announcement was the dramatic conclusion to a nearly 40-minute speech that found him frequently veering from his written remarks to share old anecdotes, interact with Motown colleagues in the audience, and get "sentimental," as he put it.
When did Motown start?
An up-and-coming songwriter, Gordy founded the company that would become Motown in 1959, with support from his entrepreneurial family that included an $800 starter loan. It went on to become America's biggest black-owned corporation.
When does Gordy turn 90?
Gordy, who has lived in L.A. since moving his operations there in the early 1970s, will turn 90 in November.
Where did Berry Gordy Jr. move to?
Berry Gordy Jr.'s lasting legacy. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. Shortly after the loss of Holland-Dozier-Holland, Gordy Jr. relocated to Los Angeles and, as Time put it, became "distracted by Hollywood.". Gordy Jr. sold Motown to MCA records in 1988, where it continued to move, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, ...
What was Gordy Jr.'s first venture?
Spurred on by their success, but still wanting more, Gordy Jr. accepted an $800 loan from his family and, in 1959, began a new venture, Motown (a combination of "Motortown," one of Detroit's nicknames). Here, Gordy Jr. hoped to take the most efficient parts of the auto industry and apply them to musical talent.
What did Gordy Jr. write for?
Writing for and recording songs with Wilson gave Gordy Jr. the foothold he'd needed in the music industry. Biography tells us that some of their initial collaborations, like "Reet Petite" and "Lonely Teardrops," still score radio airtime. Spurred on by their success, but still wanting more, Gordy Jr. accepted an $800 loan from his family and, in 1959, began a new venture, Motown (a combination of "Motortown," one of Detroit's nicknames). Here, Gordy Jr. hoped to take the most efficient parts of the auto industry and apply them to musical talent.
Why did Gordy Jr. drop out of high school?
Gordy Jr. dropped out of high school to pursue his dream of becoming a professional boxer, and he had a pretty good record, too, as BoxRec reveals, but the Korean War draft interrupted that dream. After a return from Korea (where he'd earned his GED), Gordy, Jr. married and found work at the Lincoln-Mercury plant.
Where was Gordy Jr. born?
Gordy Jr. was born in the Motor City in 1929 and his beginnings are a classic Great Migration experience. Born the seventh of eight children, Gordy Jr,'s father moved the family from Georgia to Detroit before Gordy Jr. was born, likely drawn there by jobs in the booming auto industry.
Who is the founder of Motown?
The Untold Truth Of Motown Founder Berry Gordy Jr. Today, the word "Motown" is so ingrained in our culture, it's easy to forget it hasn't always been a way to casually refer to Detroit or to describe a kind of infectious pop-soul music. In fact, Motown Records as we know it has only been around since 1960, but its influence is mighty.
Who were the stars of Motown?
Superstars from Motown's heyday include Wilson, but also The Four Tops, The Supremes, The Isley Brothers, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, and more. But for all the talent, the meteoric rise of Motown could not go on forever.
Who encouraged Gordy to start his own company?
But when the royalties trickled in, eighteen-year-old Smokey Robinson encouraged Gordy to start his own company. “Why work for the man?” Robinson told Gordy. “Why not you be the man?” “I didn’t know any better,” says Gordy. “If somebody told me today, ‘OK, you’re gonna go into business, and you’ve gotta make a profit every year for the first five years or you’ll be out of business,’ I’d say that’s not a good gamble. But that’s what we did. Motown was a freak.”
How much did Gordy make in 16 years?
Five years later, Motown was one of the hottest record companies in the world. Looking back, Gordy would say, “I earned $367 million in sixteen years. I must be doing something right.”. Gordy’s impact on popular music cannot be overstated.
How did Motown influence music?
Gordy’s impact on popular music cannot be overstated. Motown’s artists, songwriters and producers have influenced everyone from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to recent chart toppers like Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul and Madonna. Motown artists were usually black, but the music they made — dubbed the Sound of Young America by Gordy — was indeed loved by nearly everyone who was young, or young at heart. Motown crossed over before anyone thought to use that term to describe black records bought by whites. “We were a general-market company,” is the way Gordy puts it. “Whether you were black, white, green or blue, you could relate to our music.”
What was the name of the music that Gordy made?
It was a musical revolution that Gordy launched in Detroit in the late Fifties, when, at age 29, he borrowed $800 from his family to make “Come to Me, ” a simple R&B record that reached Number Six on the black-music chart. Five years later, Motown was one of the hottest record companies in the world.
Who was the man who made the Motown records?
This article was originally published in RS 585, August 23rd, 1990. On a bright Los Angeles day, Berry Gordy Jr., the man who founded Motown Records and made stars of Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, Smokey Robinson and many others, removes his shirt. ...
Was Motown a black band?
Motown artists were usually black, but the music they made — dubbed the Sound of Young America by Gordy — was indeed loved by nearly everyone who was young, or young at heart. Motown crossed over before anyone thought to use that term to describe black records bought by whites.
Who owns Jobete Music Publishing?
In 1988, Gordy sold his company to MCA and the investment group Boston Ventures for $61 million, but he still owns Jobete Music Publishing, the gold mine of a publishing company that holds the copyrights for nearly all the Motown hits.
Who owns the rights to Motown songs?
EMI Music Publishing said yesterday that it had paid $132 million to Berry Gordy Jr. for a half-stake in the publishing company that owns the rights to classic Motown songs.
Who sold Motown to?
MCA sold the Motown label to Polygram Records, a unit of Philips Electronics N.V., in 1993. Though analysts called the aquisition an important addition to EMI's catalogue, ''it won't make much of an impact on EMI as a whole,'' Mr. Vogel said.
How much did Motown make in 1996?
Executives said that EMI Music expected the Motown song catalogue to contribute $9 million in profit in its first year. The Motown catalogue generated $25 million in gross revenue for Jobete in 1996. ''I'm surprised that the catalogue was available,'' said Harold Vogel, an analyst for Cowen & Company. ''But it sounds like a really good idea.
Why did Gordy sell his stake in the publishing industry?
Mr. Gordy said he decided to sell the stake in the publishing catalogue in part because he had become disenchanted with the industry. Under terms of the deal, EMI will assume administration of the company's day-to-day operations.
Who sold Motown Records to MCA?
Mr. Gordy, who formed Jobete Music as the music publishing affiliate to his Motown Records, has held on to the company since 1959. ''I wanted Marty to have the songs because I trust him,'' Mr. Gordy said. ''He's part of the family.''. Mr. Gordy sold Motown Records to MCA in 1988.
Who owns the copyright to the songs of the Motown era?
Jobete owns the copyrights to more than 15,000 songs from the classic Motown era of the 1960's and 1970's, including ''My Girl,'' by the Temptations, and ''I Heard it Through the Grapevine,'' by Marvin Gaye.
Who owns the largest Motown catalog?
EMI Music Publishing, a unit of EMI Group P.L.C. of Britain, had handled the distribution rights for the Motown catalogue internationally, and it will now handle the domestic distribution as well. EMI owns the largest song catalogue in the world, with more than one million songs.
When did Motown become independent?
Motown expanded into film and television production. It was an independent company until MCA Records bought it in 1988. PolyGram purchased the label from MCA in 1993, followed by MCA successor Universal Music Group, which acquired PolyGram in 1999.
What labels did Motown release?
In the United Kingdom, Motown's records were released on various labels: at first London (only the Miracles' "Shop Around"/" Who's Lovin' You " and "Ain't It Baby"), then Fontana ("Please Mr. Postman" by the Marvelettes was one of four) and then Oriole American (" Fingertips " by Little Stevie Wonder was one of many).
How did Motown production work?
The Motown production process has been described as factory-like. The Hitsville studios remained open and active 22 hours a day, and artists would often go on tour for weeks, come back to Detroit to record as many songs as possible, and then promptly go on tour again. Berry Gordy held quality control meetings every Friday morning, and used veto power to ensure that only the very best material and performances would be released. The test was that every new release needed to fit into a sequence of the top five selling pop singles of the week. Several tracks that later became critical and commercial favorites were initially rejected by Gordy, the two most notable being the Marvin Gaye songs " I Heard It Through the Grapevine " and " What's Going On ". In several cases, producers would rework tracks in hopes of eventually getting them approved at a later Friday morning meeting, as producer Norman Whitfield did with "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and The Temptations' " Ain't Too Proud to Beg ".
What was the role of Motown in the 1960s?
In the 1960s, Motown and its subsidiary labels (including Tamla Motown, the brand used outside the US) were the most of the Motown sound, a style of soul music with a mainstream pop appeal. Motown was the most successful soul music label, with a net worth of $61 million. During the 1960s, Motown achieved 79 records in the top-ten of the Billboard Hot 100 between 1960 and 1969.
What is the Motown name?
Its name, a portmanteau of motor and town, has become a nickname for Detroit, where the label was originally headquartered. Motown played an important role in the racial integration of popular music as an African ...
How many top 10 hits did Motown have?
From 1961 to 1971, Motown had 110 top 10 hits. Top artists on the Motown label during that period included the Supremes (initially including Diana Ross ), the Four Tops, and the Jackson 5, while Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Marvelettes, and the Miracles had hits on the Tamla label.
How many records did Motown have in the 1960s?
During the 1960s, Motown achieved 79 records in the top-ten of the Billboard Hot 100 between 1960 and 1969. Following the events of the Detroit Riots of 1967, and the loss of key songwriting/production team Holland–Dozier–Holland that year over pay disputes, Gordy moved Motown to Los Angeles, California.
Overview
Motown Record Corporation
Gordy reinvested the profits from his songwriting success into producing. In 1957, he discovered the Miracles (originally known as the Matadors) and began building a portfolio of successful artists. In 1959, with the encouragement of Miracles leader Smokey Robinson, Gordy borrowed $800 from his family to create an R&B record company. Originally, Gordy wanted to name the new labe…
Early years
Berry Gordy III (also known as Berry Gordy Jr.) was the seventh of eight children (Fuller, Esther, Anna, Loucye, George, Gwen, Berry and Robert), born on November 28, 1929, in Detroit, to middle-class parents, Berry Gordy II (also known as Berry Gordy Sr.) and Bertha Fuller Gordy, who had relocated to Detroit from Oconee, Washington County, Georgia in 1922.
His grandfather, named Berry Gordy I, was the son of James Gordy, a white plantation owner in …
Relocation to Los Angeles
In 1972, Gordy relocated to Los Angeles, where he produced the commercially successful biographical drama film on Billie Holiday, Lady Sings the Blues, starring Diana Ross (who was nominated for an Academy Award), Richard Pryor, and Billy Dee Williams (cast in a role originally for Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops). Initially the studio, over Gordy's objections, rejected Williams after several screen tests. However, Gordy, known for his tenacity, eventually prevailed, and the film e…
Awards and accolades
Gordy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. He was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2009.
When Gordy received the Songwriters Hall of Fame's Pioneer Award on June 13, 2013, he was the first living individual to receive the honor.
Statements about Motown artists
Following the funeral of Marvin Gaye on April 5, 1984, Gordy declared Gaye "the greatest of his time." Berry said the singer "had no musical equals," while also discussing how he carried on the legacy of other soul singers who tackled a range of themes, from love to civil rights, such as Billie Holiday.
On March 20, 2009, Gordy was in Hollywood to pay tribute to his first group and first million-selli…
Motown: The Musical
On May 15, 2011, it was announced that Gordy was developing a Broadway musical about Motown. The show is said to be an account of events of the 1960s and how they shaped the creation of the label. Gordy hoped that the musical would improve the reputation of Motown Records and clear up any misconceptions regarding the label's demise.
Motown: The Musical began previews at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on March 11, 2013, and bega…
Personal life
Gordy, who was married and divorced three times, has eight children with six different women. His publishing company, Jobete, was named after his three eldest children: Joy, Berry and Terry.
He had three children with his first wife, Thelma Coleman, whom he married in 1953 (they were divorced in 1959):
• Hazel Joy Gordy (born August 24, 1954), was once married to Jermaine Jackson
Hit-Making Songwriter
Motown Records Founder
- With a tenacity that reflected his training as a boxer, a drive to succeed that matched the lessons he learned from his parents, and an attention to detail that is evident in the quality and uniqueness of every element of the Motown experience, Berry built the Empire on West Grand Boulevard, known as Motown Records. Motown Record Corporation was incorporated in April 1960, a year t…
Talent Developer
- Berry had a keen eye for talent as well. The list of his earliest discoveries reads like a who’s who of the golden age of rhythm-and-blues, starting with the Matadors (soon to become the Miracles), Mary Wells, the Marvelettes, and the Primes and Primettes, later to be known as the Temptations and the Supremes, respectively, to name only a few.
Visionary
- True to his vision, Berry invested considerable time and thought into polishing Motown performers. The Artist Development Department taught them how to sit, stand and speak with elegance, and act with refinement—no matter the setting. Their performance “uniforms” and choreography were the envy of street-corner singers and competing vocal groups everywhere. N…
The Chairman
- After years at the helm of Motown Records, Berry took the role of board chairman, allowing the younger generation an opportunity to lead the company into a new era. He sold the company in 1988, but his connection to the “Sound of Young America” is unbreakable and eternal.