November 17, 2012 at The Art Institute of Chicago. The program will consist of a one-on-one interview with Gordy conducted by award-winning journalist Gwen Ifill and taped live for airing on PBS-TV. Ifill’s interview will lead the audience through Gordy’s celebrated life as an entrepreneur, songwriter, record producer, movie director and producer who has left an indelible influence on music and films both nationally and internationally.
Some of Motown’s most recognizable performers and producers will also be in attendance. R&B songwriter, producer, and singer Valerie Simpson of Ashford & Simpson fame will take the stage to honor Gordy. Simpson and her late husband Nick Ashford were an important part of the Motown family, having penned such hits as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “You’re All I Need to Get By,” and “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand.” Simpson will be joined by a new generation of Motown’s recording artists. Popular singer Kem will deliver a special tribute during the taping. Gordy’s son, Stefan Gordy — known to the music world as Redfoo — one-half of the hip-hop musical group, LMFAO, will be in attendance. Several early members of the Motown family, including Jimmy Ruffin, Claudette Robinson of the Miracles, Freda and Sherrie Payne, and Al Bell, former president of Stax and Motown Records, will also be on hand for this historic event.
Julieanna Richardson, founder and executive director of The HistoryMakers, serves as executive producer. Suzanne de Passe, former president of Motown Productions, and Charles Randolph-Wright, director of the upcoming Broadway production of Motown: the Musical, are serving as co-producers. Ray Chew, music director for American Idol, serves as the show’s music producer. Music industry powerhouses Universal Music Group, Sony Music, David Geffen, Clarence Avant, and Jerry Moss are major underwriters for the evening.
Gordy founded Motown Records in 1959 and grew the company into the most successful African American-owned enterprise in the United States. He is also credited with having created a new sound that changed popular music – the Motown Sound. While working on an assembly line at Ford Motor Company, Gordy began writing and selling songs that were recorded by several local artists. After borrowing $800 from his father, he formed his own company – Motown Records – that was headquartered in a house on Detroit’s West Grand Boulevard. In 1960, Motown released the song “Shop Around” written by Gordy’s longtime friend Smokey Robinson and recorded by The Miracles with Robinson on lead vocals. The song sold more than a million copies and helped to launch the most influential era in the history of popular music. Motown quickly turned out successive hits by signing and grooming recording artists such as Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, and Mary Wells. Chicago, IL (November 2012) – The HistoryMakers will welcome and honor Berry Gordy, Jr., founder of Motown Records, during An Evening with Berry Gordy on Saturday, No
For further information on The HistoryMakers, please visit the website at www.thehistorymakers.com.
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