Berry Gordy Honoured

Motown songwriter joins Hall Of Fame

Motown founder and hitmaker Berry Gordy is to be honoured next month after being admitted to the Songwriters Hall Of Fame.

Berry Gordy entered music as a rhythm and blues songwriter in the mid 50s. Working with the likes of Jackie Wilson, Gordy began writing some sizeable hits but watched in dismay as label bosses waltzed off with money he felt he should be earning.

Founding his own record label Tamla in 1959, Berry Gordy unwittingly started a revolution. Tamla would become Motown, and Gordy’s Detroit based label would score hit after hit earning the soubriquet ‘The Sound Of Young America’.

With Berry Gordy at the helm, the fledgling label struggled to find a hit record until the songwriter hit upon the song ‘Money’. Buoyed by a piano riff, the track was an out and out rhythm and blues record but with an added pop touch.

‘Money’ was a spectacular success, becoming a perennial favourite. Later covered by The Beatles, song became the label’s anthem. An ode to ambition, the song kick started one of the most important musical endeavours of the 20th Century.

Motown would go on to score countless hits in the 60s and 70s, before heading out to Los Angeles in order to allow Berry Gordy to focus on his ambitions in the film industry.

Berry Gordy is still active in the music industry, and will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame next month. The New York ceremony will also see 70s troubadour James Taylor honoured.

Tom Jones will be this year’s recipient of the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award. The Welsh singer was chosen as the recipient due to his “exceptional staying power and accomplishments, along with his unique artistry.”

Also set to be inducted this year are the likes of Jon Bon Jovi, Roger Cook, James Rado and hippy supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash. Arguably the soundtrack to 1970s America, the trio are due to play a set at Glastonbury later this summer.

The Towering Song this year is ’Moon River’ and the Towering Performance Award will be presented to Andy Williams.

This is the latest in a series of tributes to Motown and its artists. The label celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a number of re-issues, with songwriter Smokey Robinson the latest to be given a special award.

A half century on, the music of Motown remains as potent a force as ever with new fans being attracted to their golden sound every day.

Berry Gordy will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame on June 18th.

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