Gordy family
Encyclopedia
The Gordys are an African-American
family of businesspeople
and music industry executives
born to Georgia
-reared parents Berry "Pops" Gordy, Sr. and Bertha Fuller Gordy and raised in Detroit, where a majority of the siblings had a pivotal role in the international acceptance of rhythm and blues
music to crossover phenomenon in the 1960s due to the creation of Motown, founded by the seventh-oldest member, brother Berry Gordy, Jr.
.
grocery store in Detroit while Bertha co-founded the Friendship Mutual Life Insurance Company. Later on, Berry II would serve as mentor for several of the recording acts for his son's Motown
label. Berry II died in 1978. A tribute album in his memory and the single, "Pops We Love You", was released later that year. Bertha died in 1975.
Esther Gordy Edwards
The eldest Gordy daughter, Esther (April 25, 1920 – August 24, 2011) established herself early in business as a political campaigner for her husband, Detroit politician George Edwards during his runs in office. In the late 1950s, she formed a loan company named after her parents and helped her brother Berry with a $800 loan from their father's college tuition money for him to start Motown Records in 1959. Edwards later served as mentor, adviser, and vice president of Motown's main offices from 1961 until 1972 when Berry moved the entire operations to Los Angeles
. In 1985, she founded the Motown Historical Museum, which is the site of the former Hitsville U.S.A.
studios where many of Motown's successful recording artists recorded at. Esther died in 2011 at the age of 91.
Anna Gordy Gaye
Though she is often remembered more for her volatile marriage to Motown legend Marvin Gaye
, Anna Gordy was one of Motown's earliest songwriters penning several hits mainly for her first and only husband. Anna was also part-founder of a self-named music label that would first nationally established Motown's records including Barrett Strong
's "Money (That's What I Want)
". In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Anna co-wrote The Originals
' biggest hits, "Baby I'm For Real
" and "The Bells
" alongside Marvin and also co-wrote "God Is Love
" and "Flying High (In the Friendly Sky)" on Marvin's famed What's Going On
album. Despite an acrimonious divorce in 1977, Gordy remained friends with Gaye until his 1984 death, in which afterwards, Anna retreated into seclusion only coming out briefly to celebrate Marvin's music career attending ceremonies including Marvin's 1987 induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Gwen Gordy Fuqua
Another important member of Motown's growing success was Gwendolyn Gordy (November 26, 1927 – November 8, 1999). Gwen partnered with her brother Berry and then-boyfriend Billy Davis to co-pen several hits for Jackie Wilson
in the mid-1950s. In 1959, Gwen, Billy and sister Anna formed Anna Records in Detroit. Anna would be the site where the hit song, "Money (That's What I Want)
", then a regional single for Berry's Tamla Records, would get its first national distribution. Two years later, Anna was absorbed by Motown. In 1961, Gwen married The Moonglows
' Harvey Fuqua
and the two presided over the labels Harvey Records and Tri-Phi Records, the latter label included acts like The Spinners. By 1964, Gwen would join Motown's staff songwriting team later writing "Distant Lover
" for her brother-in-law, Marvin Gaye, and later discovering the disco group High Inergy
in 1976. Gwen died of cancer in 1999.
Berry Gordy
A former boxer and jazz record store owner, Berry Gordy first got involved with producing and writing R&B songs in 1955. One of Gordy's first successful works as a songwriter were as one-thirds of the songwriting team behind Jackie Wilson
's first legion of solo hits including "Reet Petite
", "To Be Loved" and "Lonely Teardrops
". By 1959, Gordy, fed up with not being paid royalties for his work on Wilson and other acts, the musician decided to form a record label and convinced his sister Esther to loan him $800 from his father's tuition loan. Gordy formed Tamla Records in January 1959. The label didn't become national until later that year after the success of Barrett Strong
's "Money (That's What I Want)
" and the label changed its name to Motown Records in December. Its first national release was The Miracles
' "Way Over There". After 1964, Motown became one of the most successful recording labels in the business and its sound, partially cultivated by Gordy, "The Motown Sound" began to dominate popular music and pop culture. Gordy soon developed Motown Industries in 1968 which developed television specials and variety shows. By 1973, Motown had produced more than 100 top ten and number-one singles on various Billboard charts
and had become the most successful black business company ever. By founding Motown Records, Gordy became the first African-American owner of a major recording label. He retired from being president of Motown Records in 1973 and from Motown Industries in 1988 where he sold Motown's interest for $61 million to MCA Records
and Boston Ventures. Gordy was inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for his musical achievements the same year he sold Motown.
Robert Gordy
Robert L. Gordy is probably best known for playing a cameo in the Diana Ross
-starring vehicle, Lady Sings the Blues, playing a drug dealer named "Hawk". Also an early songwriter of several songs for the Motown label, Gordy recorded a novelty hit in 1958 under the stage name Bob Kayli with the song "Everyone Was There". He replaced Loucye Gordy as head of Jobete Music Publishing in 1965 after Loucye's death.
Apollo
A quintet formed by Kerry Gordy
and his friends. Also in this group was Kerry's half-brother Cliff Liles, a son by Raynoma Mayberry Liles
and Charles Liles.
Kerry Gordy
Son of Berry Gordy, Jr. and his second wife, Raynoma Mayberry, was a member of the band Apollo
, which released an album on Gordy Records in 1979. Later, he worked as a staff writer and producer at Motown under his given name, Kerry Ashby. He continues to work as an entertainment industry executive today.
Rockwell
Son of Berry Gordy, Jr. and former girlfriend Margaret Norton, Kennedy William Gordy changed his name to Rockwell in 1983 to become a rock star. The singer, who earned his deal with Motown without his father's knowledge, recorded his biggest hit, 1984's "Somebody's Watching Me
", which included background vocals by Michael Jackson
. The song rose to number-two on the Billboard Hot 100
. Rockwell turned out to be a one-hit wonder
and after two more albums, he retired from music in the late 1980s.
Rhonda Ross Kendrick
Daughter of Berry Gordy, Jr. and Diana Ross
, Rhonda garnered fame as an actress, first in the daytime soap Another World
for which she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy and later in films like The Temptations, where she played Temptations original member Paul Williams
' wife. She later embarked on a jazz career, which continues today.
Denise Gordy
Daughter of George and Rosemary Gordy, sister of George ("Royal") Gordy, and mother of Marvin Gaye III and Bianca Lawson. Denise appeared in television and theatrical productions throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Bianca Lawson
Daughter of Denise Gordy and Richard Lawson, Bianca, like her parents, achieved fame as an aspiring actress appearing in numerous television productions and theatrical releases. Appeared alongside Rhonda Ross Kendrick in the television miniseries The Temptations as Diana Ross.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
family of businesspeople
Businessperson
A businessperson is someone involved in a particular undertaking of activities for the purpose of generating revenue from a combination of human, financial, or physical capital. An entrepreneur is an example of a business person...
and music industry executives
Senior management
Senior management, executive management, or management team is generally a team of individuals at the highest level of organizational management who have the day-to-day responsibilities of managing a company or corporation, they hold specific executive powers conferred onto them with and by...
born to Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
-reared parents Berry "Pops" Gordy, Sr. and Bertha Fuller Gordy and raised in Detroit, where a majority of the siblings had a pivotal role in the international acceptance of rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
music to crossover phenomenon in the 1960s due to the creation of Motown, founded by the seventh-oldest member, brother Berry Gordy, Jr.
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
.
Family members
- Berry "Pops" Gordy, Sr. (father)
- Bertha Fuller Gordy (mother)
- Fuller Gordy (oldest, sibling #1)
- Esther GordyEsther Gordy EdwardsEsther Gordy Edwards was a staff member and associate of her younger brother Berry Gordy's fabled Motown label during the 1960s. Edwards created the Motown Museum, Hitsville U.S.A., by preserving the label's Detroit studio. She also served as President of the Motown Museum.-Biography:Esther Gordy...
(oldest, sibling #2) - Anna Ruby GordyAnna Gordy GayeAnna Gordy Gaye is an American songwriter and composer, known as the elder sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy and the first wife of soul legend Marvin Gaye, who used their troubled marriage as the focal point of his critically acclaimed 1978 effort, Here, My Dear, an album from which Gordy...
(sibling #3) - George Gordy (sibling #4)
- Loucye Gordy (sibling #5)
- Gwen GordyGwen Gordy FuquaGwen Gordy Fuqua was the elder sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy, sister of Motown songwriters Anna Gordy Gaye, Robert Gordy and George Gordy, sister of Motown Museum founder Esther Gordy Edwards, sister of Fuller Gordy and also Loucye Gordy, and the former wife of Harvey Fuqua...
(sibling #6) - Berry Gordy, Jr.Berry GordyBerry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
(sibling #7) - Robert L. GordyRobert GordyRobert Gordy was the youngest child of Berry Gordy, Sr. and Bertha Fuller, and is best known as the youngest brother of Motown founder, Berry Gordy, Jr....
(sibling #8)
Berry and Bertha Gordy
As a couple, Berry and Bertha owned several businesses including establishing a successful painting business and construction business. Berry, Sr. (or Berry II) would establish a Booker T. WashingtonBooker T. Washington
Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and political leader. He was the dominant figure in the African-American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915...
grocery store in Detroit while Bertha co-founded the Friendship Mutual Life Insurance Company. Later on, Berry II would serve as mentor for several of the recording acts for his son's Motown
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
label. Berry II died in 1978. A tribute album in his memory and the single, "Pops We Love You", was released later that year. Bertha died in 1975.
Fuller Berry Gordy
The eldest Gordy child, Fuller B. Gordy (Sep. 9, 1918 – Nov. 9, 1991) was an executive alongside his younger siblings in their brother Berry's Motown music company. Fuller was also a professional in bowling. His daughter Iris was married to singer Johnny Bristol.Esther Gordy EdwardsEsther Gordy EdwardsEsther Gordy Edwards was a staff member and associate of her younger brother Berry Gordy's fabled Motown label during the 1960s. Edwards created the Motown Museum, Hitsville U.S.A., by preserving the label's Detroit studio. She also served as President of the Motown Museum.-Biography:Esther Gordy...
The eldest Gordy daughter, Esther (April 25, 1920 – August 24, 2011) established herself early in business as a political campaigner for her husband, Detroit politician George Edwards during his runs in office. In the late 1950s, she formed a loan company named after her parents and helped her brother Berry with a $800 loan from their father's college tuition money for him to start Motown Records in 1959. Edwards later served as mentor, adviser, and vice president of Motown's main offices from 1961 until 1972 when Berry moved the entire operations to Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. In 1985, she founded the Motown Historical Museum, which is the site of the former Hitsville U.S.A.
Hitsville U.S.A.
"Hitsville U.S.A." is the nickname given to Motown's first headquarters. A former photographers' studio located at 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, Michigan, it was purchased by Motown founder Berry Gordy in 1959 and converted into both the record label's administrative building and recording...
studios where many of Motown's successful recording artists recorded at. Esther died in 2011 at the age of 91.
Anna Gordy GayeAnna Gordy GayeAnna Gordy Gaye is an American songwriter and composer, known as the elder sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy and the first wife of soul legend Marvin Gaye, who used their troubled marriage as the focal point of his critically acclaimed 1978 effort, Here, My Dear, an album from which Gordy...
Though she is often remembered more for her volatile marriage to Motown legend Marvin GayeMarvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, Anna Gordy was one of Motown's earliest songwriters penning several hits mainly for her first and only husband. Anna was also part-founder of a self-named music label that would first nationally established Motown's records including Barrett Strong
Barrett Strong
Barrett Strong is an American singer and songwriter. Strong was the first artist to record a hit for Motown, although he is best remembered for his work as a songwriter, particularly in association with producer Norman Whitfield.-His career:Strong was among the first artists signed to Berry...
's "Money (That's What I Want)
Money (That's What I Want)
"Money " is a 1959 hit single by Barrett Strong for the Tamla label, distributed nationally on Anna Records. The song was written by Tamla founder Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford, and became the first hit record for Gordy's Motown enterprise....
". In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Anna co-wrote The Originals
The Originals
The Originals were a successful Motown R&B and soul group during the late 1960s and the 1970s, most notable for the hits "Baby I'm For Real", "The Bells" and the disco classic, "Down to Love Town"...
' biggest hits, "Baby I'm For Real
Baby I'm For Real
"Baby, I'm for Real" is a soul ballad written by Marvin Gaye and Anna Gordy Gaye, produced by Marvin and recorded and released by American Motown vocal group The Originals for the Soul label issued in 1969.-The Originals version:...
" and "The Bells
The Bells
"The Bells" is a heavily onomatopoeic poem by Edgar Allan Poe which was not published until after his death in 1849. It is perhaps best known for the diacopic repetition of the word "bells." The poem has four parts to it; each part becomes darker and darker as the poem progresses from "the jingling...
" alongside Marvin and also co-wrote "God Is Love
God Is Love (song)
"God is Love" is a 1970 song written by Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye, James Nyx and Elgie Stover and recorded by Marvin for his What's Going On album. The song was a return of sorts to Gaye's religious background dedicating this song to God and his father, Marvin Pentz Gay, Sr. The song was...
" and "Flying High (In the Friendly Sky)" on Marvin's famed What's Going On
What's Going On
What's Going On is the eleventh studio album by soul musician Marvin Gaye, released May 21, 1971, on the Motown-subsidiary label Tamla Records...
album. Despite an acrimonious divorce in 1977, Gordy remained friends with Gaye until his 1984 death, in which afterwards, Anna retreated into seclusion only coming out briefly to celebrate Marvin's music career attending ceremonies including Marvin's 1987 induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
George Gordy
George Gordy started several short businesses before joining his brother's Motown label in 1960 where he was a co-writer of several songs released by Motown artists. He just got his leg amputated for diabetes. He has a son named George Gordy, II also known as Royal.Loucye Gordy
Another astute businesswoman, Loucye was named head of Jobete Music, Motown's main publishing division created by Berry. Loucye was head of the division until she suddenly died in 1965. After her death, her youngest brother Robert became the head of the publishing company. At the time of her death on July 24, 1965, she went by the name of Loucye S. Gordy Wakefield.Gwen Gordy FuquaGwen Gordy FuquaGwen Gordy Fuqua was the elder sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy, sister of Motown songwriters Anna Gordy Gaye, Robert Gordy and George Gordy, sister of Motown Museum founder Esther Gordy Edwards, sister of Fuller Gordy and also Loucye Gordy, and the former wife of Harvey Fuqua...
Another important member of Motown's growing success was Gwendolyn Gordy (November 26, 1927 – November 8, 1999). Gwen partnered with her brother Berry and then-boyfriend Billy Davis to co-pen several hits for Jackie WilsonJackie Wilson
Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. was an American singer and performer. Known as "Mr. Excitement", Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was known as a master showman, and as one of the most dynamic singers and performers in R&B and rock history...
in the mid-1950s. In 1959, Gwen, Billy and sister Anna formed Anna Records in Detroit. Anna would be the site where the hit song, "Money (That's What I Want)
Money (That's What I Want)
"Money " is a 1959 hit single by Barrett Strong for the Tamla label, distributed nationally on Anna Records. The song was written by Tamla founder Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford, and became the first hit record for Gordy's Motown enterprise....
", then a regional single for Berry's Tamla Records, would get its first national distribution. Two years later, Anna was absorbed by Motown. In 1961, Gwen married The Moonglows
The Moonglows
The Moonglows were an American R&B and doo-wop group based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Early years:Originally formed in their native Louisville, Kentucky as the Crazy Sounds, the group moved to Cleveland, where disc jockey Alan Freed renamed them 'the Moonglows'...
' Harvey Fuqua
Harvey Fuqua
Harvey Fuqua, was an African-American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, record producer, and record label executive.Fuqua founded the seminal R&B/doo-wop group the Moonglows in the 1950s...
and the two presided over the labels Harvey Records and Tri-Phi Records, the latter label included acts like The Spinners. By 1964, Gwen would join Motown's staff songwriting team later writing "Distant Lover
Distant Lover
"Distant Lover" is the sixth song issued on singer Marvin Gaye's 1973 album, Let's Get It On and was later issued as a live recording in 1974. The live version of the song was Gaye's most successful single during the three-year gap between Let's Get It On and his following 1976 album, I Want...
" for her brother-in-law, Marvin Gaye, and later discovering the disco group High Inergy
High Inergy
High Inergy was an American R&B and soul girl group who found fame on Motown Records in the late 1970s. They are best known for their hit, "You Can't Turn Me Off ".-History:...
in 1976. Gwen died of cancer in 1999.
Berry GordyBerry GordyBerry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
A former boxer and jazz record store owner, Berry Gordy first got involved with producing and writing R&B songs in 1955. One of Gordy's first successful works as a songwriter were as one-thirds of the songwriting team behind Jackie WilsonJackie Wilson
Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. was an American singer and performer. Known as "Mr. Excitement", Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was known as a master showman, and as one of the most dynamic singers and performers in R&B and rock history...
's first legion of solo hits including "Reet Petite
Reet Petite
"Reet Petite " is a song made popular by Jackie Wilson...
", "To Be Loved" and "Lonely Teardrops
Lonely Teardrops
"Lonely Teardrops" is a song recorded and released as a single in 1958 by R&B singer Jackie Wilson on the Brunswick label. It is a 1999 Grammy Hall of Fame Inductee...
". By 1959, Gordy, fed up with not being paid royalties for his work on Wilson and other acts, the musician decided to form a record label and convinced his sister Esther to loan him $800 from his father's tuition loan. Gordy formed Tamla Records in January 1959. The label didn't become national until later that year after the success of Barrett Strong
Barrett Strong
Barrett Strong is an American singer and songwriter. Strong was the first artist to record a hit for Motown, although he is best remembered for his work as a songwriter, particularly in association with producer Norman Whitfield.-His career:Strong was among the first artists signed to Berry...
's "Money (That's What I Want)
Money (That's What I Want)
"Money " is a 1959 hit single by Barrett Strong for the Tamla label, distributed nationally on Anna Records. The song was written by Tamla founder Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford, and became the first hit record for Gordy's Motown enterprise....
" and the label changed its name to Motown Records in December. Its first national release was The Miracles
The Miracles
The Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
' "Way Over There". After 1964, Motown became one of the most successful recording labels in the business and its sound, partially cultivated by Gordy, "The Motown Sound" began to dominate popular music and pop culture. Gordy soon developed Motown Industries in 1968 which developed television specials and variety shows. By 1973, Motown had produced more than 100 top ten and number-one singles on various Billboard charts
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
and had become the most successful black business company ever. By founding Motown Records, Gordy became the first African-American owner of a major recording label. He retired from being president of Motown Records in 1973 and from Motown Industries in 1988 where he sold Motown's interest for $61 million to MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
and Boston Ventures. Gordy was inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for his musical achievements the same year he sold Motown.
Robert GordyRobert GordyRobert Gordy was the youngest child of Berry Gordy, Sr. and Bertha Fuller, and is best known as the youngest brother of Motown founder, Berry Gordy, Jr....
Robert L. Gordy is probably best known for playing a cameo in the Diana RossDiana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
-starring vehicle, Lady Sings the Blues, playing a drug dealer named "Hawk". Also an early songwriter of several songs for the Motown label, Gordy recorded a novelty hit in 1958 under the stage name Bob Kayli with the song "Everyone Was There". He replaced Loucye Gordy as head of Jobete Music Publishing in 1965 after Loucye's death.
ApolloApollo (quintet)Apollo was an American R&B/disco group that recorded for Motown in the late 1970s. They are best known as the band of future music executives Benny Medina and Kerry Gordy.-History:...
A quintet formed by Kerry GordyKerry Gordy
Kerry Ashby Gordy is a career music executive who is now the CEO of Kerry Gordy Enterprises, LLC and Nu Vintage, LLC. .-Early years:...
and his friends. Also in this group was Kerry's half-brother Cliff Liles, a son by Raynoma Mayberry Liles
Ray Singleton
Ray Mayberry Liles Gordy Singleton is an American R&B producer, songwriter and vocalist, best known for her association with ex-husband Berry Gordy during the early days of Motown.-Early life:...
and Charles Liles.
LMFAO
A duo consisting of Skyler Husten ("SkyBlu") Gordy (born August 23, 1986), grandson of Berry Gordy, Jr. and Thelma Coleman through their son Berry Gordy IV and his wife Valerie Robeson, and also Stefan Kendal ("Redfoo") Gordy (born September 3, 1975), son of Berry Gordy, Jr. and Nancy Leiviska.Kerry GordyKerry GordyKerry Ashby Gordy is a career music executive who is now the CEO of Kerry Gordy Enterprises, LLC and Nu Vintage, LLC. .-Early years:...
Son of Berry Gordy, Jr. and his second wife, Raynoma Mayberry, was a member of the band ApolloApollo (quintet)
Apollo was an American R&B/disco group that recorded for Motown in the late 1970s. They are best known as the band of future music executives Benny Medina and Kerry Gordy.-History:...
, which released an album on Gordy Records in 1979. Later, he worked as a staff writer and producer at Motown under his given name, Kerry Ashby. He continues to work as an entertainment industry executive today.
RockwellRockwell (musician)Rockwell is an R&B performer who was signed to the Motown label.-Biography:...
Son of Berry Gordy, Jr. and former girlfriend Margaret Norton, Kennedy William Gordy changed his name to Rockwell in 1983 to become a rock star. The singer, who earned his deal with Motown without his father's knowledge, recorded his biggest hit, 1984's "Somebody's Watching MeSomebody's Watching Me
"Somebody's Watching Me" is the debut single by R&B artist Rockwell, released on the Motown label in 1984. The song's lyrics relate the narrator's paranoid fear of being followed and watched. It featured former Motown artists Michael Jackson on the chorus and Jermaine Jackson on additional backing...
", which included background vocals by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
. The song rose to number-two on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. Rockwell turned out to be a one-hit wonder
One-hit wonder
A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success. The term is most often used to describe music performers with only one hit single.-Characteristics:...
and after two more albums, he retired from music in the late 1980s.
Rhonda Ross KendrickRhonda Ross KendrickRhonda Ross Kendrick is an American actress. Her mother is singer and actress Diana Ross, and her biological father is Motown Records founder Berry Gordy. At the time of her birth, Ross was married to her first husband, Robert Ellis Silberstein...
Daughter of Berry Gordy, Jr. and Diana RossDiana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
, Rhonda garnered fame as an actress, first in the daytime soap Another World
Another World (TV series)
Another World is an American television soap opera that ran on NBC from May 4, 1964 to June 25, 1999. It ran for a total of 35 years. It was created by Irna Phillips along with William J...
for which she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy and later in films like The Temptations, where she played Temptations original member Paul Williams
Paul Williams (The Temptations)
Paul Williams was an American baritone singer and choreographer. Williams is noted for being one of the founding members and original lead singer of the Motown group The Temptations...
' wife. She later embarked on a jazz career, which continues today.
Denise GordyDenise GordyDenise Gordy is an American film and television actress.-Early life:Denise Gordy was born in Detroit, Michigan. She is the daughter of George and Rosemary Gordy and sister of George Gordy, Jr...
Daughter of George and Rosemary Gordy, sister of George ("Royal") Gordy, and mother of Marvin Gaye III and Bianca Lawson. Denise appeared in television and theatrical productions throughout the 1970s and 1980s.Bianca LawsonBianca LawsonBianca Jasmine Lawson is an American film and television actress.-Early life:Lawson was born in Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of Denise and actor Richard Lawson. Bianca is also the great niece of Motown founder Berry Gordy...
Daughter of Denise Gordy and Richard Lawson, Bianca, like her parents, achieved fame as an aspiring actress appearing in numerous television productions and theatrical releases. Appeared alongside Rhonda Ross Kendrick in the television miniseries The Temptations as Diana Ross.Family ties
The Gordys have at a few times been connected to other famous musicians and other notables over the years, mainly through Berry Gordy either through marriage or relationships:- Johnny BristolJohnny BristolJohnny Bristol , was an American musician, most famous as a songwriter and record producer for the Motown label in the late 1960s and early 1970s...
: married to Berry Gordy's niece Iris Gordy - Marvin GayeMarvin GayeMarvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
: married sister Anna Gordy in 1962; divorced in 1977 - Richard Lawson: married briefly to Berry Gordy's niece Denise Gordy
- Harvey FuquaHarvey FuquaHarvey Fuqua, was an African-American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, record producer, and record label executive.Fuqua founded the seminal R&B/doo-wop group the Moonglows in the 1950s...
: married sister Gwen Gordy in 1961; divorced in 1968 - Jermaine JacksonJermaine JacksonJermaine La Jaune Jackson is an American singer, bassist, composer, a member of The Jackson 5, older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson and occasional film director...
: married Berry Gordy's daughter Hazel Gordy in 1973; divorced in 1988 - Raynoma Mayberry LilesRay SingletonRay Mayberry Liles Gordy Singleton is an American R&B producer, songwriter and vocalist, best known for her association with ex-husband Berry Gordy during the early days of Motown.-Early life:...
: married to Berry Gordy from 1960–1964 - Diana RossDiana RossDiana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
: dated Berry Gordy between 1965 and 1970 - Rodney KendrickRodney KendrickRodney Kendrick is an American jazz pianist, bandleader, composer, and producer. He has been described as a "hard swinging player and composer with a delightful Monkish wit and drive."-Biography:...
: married to Berry Gordy and Diana Ross' daughter