Biography
The founder and president of one of America's most successful and influential record labels, Berry Gordy, Jr. created Motown Records, which from the 1960s through the late 1980s was one of the most important labels in American popular music. A boxer-turned-songwriter, Gordy realized the importance of ownership when it came to artistic endeavors like music, and in 1959, he launched Motown in suburban Detroit. With its roster of stellar artists …
Latest Tv Credits
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Career Milestones
2009 | Spoke lovingly of his onetime protégé Michael Jackson at Jackson's televised funeral | |
2009 | Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame | |
1996 | Received star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (October) | |
1994 | Released his autobiography To Be Loved | |
1992 | Portrayed by "Mahogany" leading man Billy Dee Williams in the ABC biographical movie "The Jacksons: An American Dream" | |
1988 | Sold Motown Records to MCA for $61 million | |
1988 | Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | |
1985 | Executive produced the cult action feature "The Last Dragon" | |
1983 | Motown released Lionel Richie's No. 1 and Grammy Award-winning album "Can't Slow Down" | |
1978 | Produced the musical feature "The Wiz," directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Ross, Michael Jackson, and Nipsey Russell | |
1975 | Directed Ross and Billy Dee Wiliams in the drama feature "Mahogany" | |
1972 | Executive produced the feature film "Lady Sings the Blues," starring Ross as legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday | |
1972 | Moved the Motown label to Los Angeles, CA to branch out into the motion picture and television industry | |
1971 | First television producer credit, the NBC special "Diana" featuring Ross, the Jackson 5, and Bill Cosby | |
1968 | Motown signed The Jackson 5 | |
1967 | Gordy renamed The Supremes as Diana Ross & the Supremes | |
1962 | The Tamla label released Stevie Wonder's first two albums The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie and Tribute to Uncle Ray | |
1961 | Members of the group The Elgins auditioned for Gordy; group later renamed The Tempations | |
1961 | Motown signed The Supremes | |
1960 | Motown landed three Top 5 hits on the pop and R&B charts - Barrett Strong's "Money (That's What I Want"), the Miracles' "Shop Around" and the Marvelettes' "Please Mr. Postman," which was the label's first No. 1 single | |
1957 | Using $800 of his family's money, launched a record label, Tamla, which was soon followed by a second label called Motown | |
1957 | Discovered singing group The Miracles, led by Smokey Robinson, at a talent show | |
1957 | Co-wrote the single "Reet Petite," recorded by Jackie Wilson | |
1953 | Opened the 3-D Record Mart in Detroit, MI | |
1953 | Fought in the Korean War; discharged from the U.S. Army in 1953 | |
1948 | Fought 15 Golden Gloves matches between 1948 and 1951; won 12 matches | |
| Dropped out of high school to pursue a career as a featherweight boxer | ||