Berry Gordy founded a Motown sound that defined a generation, fostered legendary music careers, and constructed a timeless genre that continues to influence musicians today. The Kennedy Center has tapped Gordy as an honoree.
“I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a major member of the Motown family, Mary Wilson of the Supremes,” Motown founder Berry Gordy wrote in a statement emailed to NNPA Newswire shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday. “The Supremes were always known as the ‘sweethearts of Motown.’ Mary, along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, came to Motown in the early 1960s.
The Supremes were always known as the “sweethearts of Motown.” Mary, along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, came to Motown in the early 1960’s. After an unprecedented string of number one hits, television and nightclub bookings, they opened doors for themselves, the other Motown acts, and many, many others.
Mary Wilson, founding and original member of The Supremes, passed away suddenly this evening according to a statement from her longtime friend and publicist, Jay Schwartz. She was at her home in Henderson, NV. She was 76.
Legendary music executive Berry Gordy was honored with a square on the corner of Sunset and Argyle, directly under the 6255 Sunset building that once housed his famed Motown Records once it moved from Detroit to Los Angeles.
He announced his retirement during the 60th-anniversary celebration of Motown that took place in Detroit last month.
The 2nd Annual CEEM Weekend at the LA County Fair will feature a “Tribute to Black Influence in Pop Culture!” Come celebrate the incredible impact of African-American contributions to this year’s fair theme: Pop Culture! The CEEM Weekend is sponsored by McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden Campaign. McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden campaign celebrates a new movement to uplift communities and empower excellence through education, empowerment and entrepreneurship.
Many of Motown’s biggest icons were in attendance at the premiere of Showtime’s latest documentary, “Hitsville: the Making of Motown,” last Thursday, August 8 at the Harmony Gold Theater in Los Angeles. Unforgettable stars such as Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Thelma Houston and former Vandellas member Betty Kelly graced the red carpet alongside legendary producer William “Mickey” Stevenson, songwriter Janie Bradford, and of course, members of the Gordy family.
Timeless editions of Ebony featured some of the biggest stars in Black America, including issues covered by Diana Ross, Sidney Poitier, as well as President & first lady Barack & Michelle Obama.
Berry Gordy LOS ANGELES (AP) — Motown Records founder Berry Gordy looked out at the audience at a 60th anniversary tribute to his groundbreaking record label and saw his dream of making music for “all people” in the world fulfilled. Gordy told the packed Microsoft Theater at the “Motown 60: A Grammy Celebration” that he wanted his label to bring people together from all walks of life through “a legacy of love.” The pre-taped concert, hosted by Smokey Robinson and Cedric the Entertainer, with an all-star lineup including Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Diana Ross, Meghan Trainor and Tori Kelly, airs
The Soweto Gospel Choir is a Grammy Award-winning group that has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music — including U2, John Legend, Peter Gabriel, and Diana Ross — and scored an Academy Award nomination for its work on the soundtrack to Pixar’s WALL-E. The 43-member choir, drawn from churches in and around Soweto, inspires audiences, sharing the joy of faith.
Photographer Bruce Talamon saw it all during the golden age of soul, R&B, and funk. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, he found himself backstage with an all-access pass to the heart of the music scene, photographing icons such as James Brown, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Rick James, Parliament-Funkadelic, Gil Scott-Heron, Aretha Franklin, the Jackson Five, Isaac Hayes, Chaka Khan, Al Green, Barry White, and Donna Summer. He is joined by one of his favorite subjects, bassist Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire.
Actress Tracee Ellis Ross talks about a myriad of topics, from her experience with having Diana Ross as a mom to her time on “Black-ish” and “Girlfriends”
This Week’s Facts of Black History