Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy 1929 - present
Music offers unique opportunities for both artistic expression and reflection. Music is a cultural phenomenon that can immediately alter mood, focus, or desire. Music unifies communities and music transcends generations. Musical visionary Berry Gordy recognized the impact of music and founded a record label dedicated to uplifting artists prepared to share a message with the world. The genre created from Gordy’s vision was Motown.
But what is Motown? Motown is the musical sound that changed America. Besides the name deriving from the combination of Motor City and town, Motown is a multi-faceted musical genre, including jazz, funk, and soul. In music, Gordy allowed artists to express their activist roots.
From songs protesting the Vietnam War to songs highlighting the Civil Rights struggle, Motown was not just music. It was a movement.
Motown’s first headquarters was a small apartment in Detroit. Gordy later bought a house at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, that he astutely named Hitsville USA. Gordy’s eye for talent allowed him to attract the business's top young artists performing in Detroit.
Motown gave sensational artists like Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and many others, a platform. Motown Records had the greatest accumulation of talent; that talent was able to amass nearly 200 No. 1 hit songs worldwide. More importantly, Gordy was able to achieve his dream of creating a crossover appeal. White, Black, young, old, Motown was inclusive and intentionally packaged to attract white listeners who typically preferred pop.
Motown artists are still sampled by contemporary artists, having an influence on hip-hop, pop, R&B, and neo-soul.
Berry Gordy’s lasting legacy is that of music mogul who exposed Black artists to the world and sufficiently popularized Black artists so to make their appeal transcend cultures. Motown is beloved by all, and that is thanks to Berry Gordy.
