Berry Gordy
Born 1929 · Age 96
American record executive, songwriter, producer; founder of Motown Record Corporation; influential in developing the 'Motown sound' and launching numerous major artists.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Detroit, Michigan
Birth of Berry Gordy III (also known as Berry Gordy Jr.), seventh of eight children of Berry Gordy II and Bertha Fuller Gordy.
Turned professional boxer (approx.)
Began a professional boxing career (exact start date not specified; boxed professionally until 1950).
Dropped out of Northeastern High School (11th grade)
Left high school in 11th grade to pursue boxing and other careers; date not explicitly given in source so year is approximate.
Ended professional boxing career
Stopped boxing professionally in 1950 (preceding his military draft).
Drafted into the U.S. Army
Drafted for service in the Korean War.
Arrived in Korea for military service
Assigned to the 58th Field Artillery Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division near Panmunjom; later served as a chaplain's assistant.
Married Thelma Louise Coleman
Married 19-year-old Thelma Coleman in Toledo, Ohio, after returning from Korea.
Obtained GED
Earned a GED (equivalent to a high school diploma) after returning from military service.
Completed Korean War tour
Completed military tour in April 1953 and returned to the U.S.
Opened the 3-D Record Mart (approx.)
Opened a jazz record store featuring 3-D glasses; the store was unsuccessful (date approximate after military service).
Birth of daughter Hazel Joy Gordy
First child Hazel Joy Gordy born to Berry Gordy and Thelma Coleman.
Birth of son Berry Gordy IV
Second child Berry Gordy IV was born.
Became connected with Detroit club scene; met Jackie Wilson (approx.)
Through family connections and the Flame Show Bar Talent Club he encountered Jackie Wilson; timing is before their 1957 recordings.
Birth of son Terry James Gordy
Third child Terry James Gordy born to Berry and Thelma.
Co-wrote 'Reet Petite' (Jackie Wilson)
Co-wrote the international hit 'Reet Petite' (with sister Gwen and Billy Davis); recorded by Jackie Wilson in 1957.
Discovered the Matadors (later The Miracles)
Discovered the group that became the Miracles and began building a roster of artists; started producing artists in 1957.
Co-wrote 'Lonely Teardrops' (Jackie Wilson) (approx.)
Credited as a co-writer on Jackie Wilson's 'Lonely Teardrops' (text references Gordy as composer; year commonly cited as 1958).
Purchased two-family flat at 2648 West Grand (Hitsville U.S.A.)
Bought the West Grand property and moved his family into the upper unit while building the company on the first floor (date cited in Motown Museum context around label founding).
Jobete publishing name origin (personal milestone)
Named his publishing company Jobete after his three eldest children: Joy, Berry and Terry (this personal detail connects family to business).
Borrowed $800 from family to start a label
With encouragement from Smokey Robinson, Gordy borrowed $800 from the Gordy family Ber-Berry Co-op to start an R&B record company.
Released Tamla 101 'Come to Me' by Marv Johnson
One of the earliest Tamla releases; United Artists picked it up for national distribution.
Released 'Bad Girl' by the Miracles
The group's record became a solid hit in 1959 after Chess Records picked it up.
Founded Tamla Records (label launch)
Tamla Records began operating on January 12, 1959; the company was the precursor to Motown.
Birth of son Kerry Gordy
Kerry Gordy (son with Raynoma) born June 25, 1959.
The Miracles' 'Shop Around' becomes Motown's first million-selling hit
Miracles gave the label its first million-selling single in 1960, establishing Motown's national prominence.
Tamla and Motown labels merged/expanded into full-service star-making company
Gordy established Motown's Artist Development Department and crafted artists' public images, choreography and etiquette—a defining business innovation.
Signed Mary Wells as Motown star
Gordy signed Mary Wells, who became an early star with hits like 'You Beat Me to the Punch' and 'My Guy'.
Barrett Strong's 'Money (That's What I Want)' charts
The record initially appeared on Tamla and charted when issued on Anna Records in February 1960; Gordy shared writing credits.
Gordy credited with 240 jobete compositions (cumulative claim)
Gordy wrote or co-wrote 240 of roughly 15,000 songs in Motown's Jobete catalog (statistical career milestone; date not specific to a year but cited in sources).
Incorporated Motown Record Corporation
Tamla and Motown labels were merged into Motown Record Corporation, incorporated on April 14, 1960.
Signed and developed multiple major acts (early 1960s)
During the 1960s Gordy signed and developed the Supremes, Temptations, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and others (dates vary; entry summarizes early-60s signings).
Marvelettes' 'Please Mr. Postman' tops both R&B and pop charts
Another early Motown chart-topper in 1961, demonstrating Motown's dominance.
'Shop Around' peaks at No. 2 on Billboard pop charts
The song peaked at No. 2 on Billboard on January 16, 1961 (No.1 on Cash Box), cementing Motown's crossover success.
Marital changes and additional children through 1960s-1970s
Gordy fathered additional children across the 1960s-1970s (Sherry 1963, Kennedy 1964, Rhonda 1971, Stefan Kendal 1975), reflecting personal life intersecting with career.
Birth of daughter Sherry Gordy
Daughter Sherry Gordy born to Berry Gordy and Jeana Jackson.
Divorce from Raynoma Mayberry Liles
Berry Gordy and Raynoma (married spring 1960) divorced in 1964.
Birth of son Kennedy William Gordy (Rockwell)
Son Kennedy William Gordy (later known as musician Rockwell) born to Berry Gordy and Margaret Norton.
Co-wrote Jackson 5 hits as part of The Corporation (approx.)
As part of Motown writing/production teams (The Corporation), Gordy co-wrote early Jackson 5 hits including 'I Want You Back' and 'ABC' (late 1960s / 1970).
Motown signs and develops the Jackson 5 (approx.)
Motown signed the Jackson 5 and produced their initial hits (dates late 1960s into 1970); Gordy and Motown were behind the group's early success.
Birth of daughter Rhonda Suzanne (with Diana Ross)
Daughter Rhonda Suzanne born; Gordy's relationship with Diana Ross lasted from 1965 through 1970.
Produced 'Lady Sings the Blues' (film)
Produced the Billie Holiday biographical drama starring Diana Ross; the film was commercially successful and received an Academy Award nomination for Ross.
Relocated to Los Angeles
Moved Motown operations to Los Angeles to expand into film and television production.
Motown annual revenues exceed $100M (company milestone cited)
By mid-1970s Motown reportedly had annual revenues in excess of $100 million (company-level milestone; Gordy's wealth increased as founder/chairman).
Produced and directed 'Mahogany'
Produced (and later took over directorial duties) on Mahogany, starring Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams; Gordy replaced original director Tony Richardson.
Received American Music Award of Merit
Honored for lifetime achievement at the American Music Awards (listed in award roll as 1975 recipient).
Establishing Motown presence in Hollywood; casting of Billy Dee Williams
Gordy's Los Angeles film work included casting Billy Dee Williams opposite Diana Ross, credited with establishing Williams as a film star (noted success during early-to-mid 1970s productions).
Produced 'The Last Dragon'
Produced the cult martial-arts film The Last Dragon (1985), serving as producer and music supervisor.
Later sale of Motown catalog to PolyGram (catalog valuation reported)
Sources note PolyGram later paid over $330 million for the Motown catalog; Gordy had sold most interests earlier and later sold publishing interests to EMI (exact personal proceeds unclear).
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Recognized as a non-performer/industry figure in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 1988.
Sold Motown interests to MCA & Boston Ventures
Sold his interests in Motown Records on June 28, 1988, for $61,000,000 (USD).
Married Grace Eaton
Married Grace Eaton on July 17, 1990; they divorced in 1993.
Received CBC Lifetime Achievement Award
Honored with a lifetime achievement award from CBC in 1993.
Divorced Grace Eaton
Divorce from Grace Eaton finalized in 1993.
Racehorse Powis Castle wins California stakes and runs in Triple Crown
Gordy's colt Powis Castle won the 1994 Oceanside Stakes and Malibu Stakes, then finished 8th in the Kentucky Derby and 9th in the Preakness Stakes under his Vistas Stables nom de course.
Published autobiography 'To Be Loved'
Released memoir/autobiography 'To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown'.
Inducted into Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame
Recognized for business achievements by Junior Achievement in 1998.
Received Recording Academy President's Merit Award (approx.)
Britannica notes a 'President's Merit Award from the Recording Academy' in 2008 (award year cited in Britannica summary).
Inducted into Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame
Received recognition from the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends in 2009.
Paid tribute at Miracles' Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony
Attended and spoke at the Miracles' Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony on March 20, 2009, honoring Motown's first million-selling act.
Spoke at Michael Jackson's memorial
Delivered remarks at Michael Jackson's memorial service in Los Angeles, calling Jackson 'the greatest entertainer that ever lived.'
Announced development of a Motown Broadway musical
Announced development of Motown: The Musical to dramatize Motown's 1960s history and correct misconceptions about the label.
Motown: The Musical previews on Broadway
Motown: The Musical began previews at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on March 11, 2013.
Motown: The Musical opens regular Broadway performances
The musical began regular performances on Broadway on April 14, 2013.
Received Songwriters Hall of Fame Pioneer Award
Became the first living individual to receive the Songwriters Hall of Fame's Pioneer Award on June 13, 2013.
Received Key to the City of Detroit
Awarded the key to the city by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan on October 22, 2014.
Broadway run of Motown: The Musical closes
Motown: The Musical closed on Broadway in January 2015 after a successful run.
Motown: The Musical opens in London's West End; Gordy attends
UK version of Motown: The Musical opened in London's West End in January 2016; Berry Gordy was present at opening night.
Awarded the National Medal of Arts
Received the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama for contributions to American music and culture.
Announced retirement from Motown/industry roles
Announced his retirement in September 2019 at age 89 (reported in 2019), ending decades of active involvement.
Received Kennedy Center Honors
Awarded a Kennedy Center Honor in 2021 alongside other major artists for lifetime contributions to American culture.
Inducted into Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame
Received induction into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in 2022.
Awarded honorary doctorate by University of Michigan
Received an honorary doctorate from the University of Michigan in 2022.
Allegation reported regarding 1988 incident and Jermaine Jackson
A December 2023 sexual assault lawsuit alleged Gordy assisted in a cover-up of an alleged 1988 assault by Jermaine Jackson; this is a reported legal allegation (subject to developments).
Legacy and continued recognitions
By mid-2020s Gordy is widely recognized as founder of Motown; continues to be referenced in cultural works and biographies.
Key Achievement Ages
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