Berry Gordy's upcoming "Motown: The Musical" could be his last major endeavor. Gordy spoke with Billboard recently, indicating that the musical is something that he's always wanted to do and in some ways, it completes his proverbial bucket list.
"Most likely it will be my last major endeavor in a creative way. Of course everyone disagrees with me when I say that statement. This is probably the epitome of everything I've done – that I've wanted to do," Gordy told Billboard Monday.
While it might be his last major creative project, don't expect Berry Gordy to sit on the sideline and watch it all play out. He is co-producing the musical and will be working to make sure it runs smoothly.
"I did the Broadway musical mainly for, I think, the people around the world that believed in me when they had no real reason to other than the music that they heard and loved," says Gordy.
"Motown: The Musical" begins previews Monday at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
For over six decades, Berry Gordy Jr. has been a prominent figure in the music and entertainment industry. The legendary founder of Motown Records will be retiring after he sees through Broadway’s production of “Motown: The Musical” to its conclusion. This end-of-an-era moment is not only bittersweet for fans around the world, but also for those who have known him personally or worked with him throughout his career.
Berry Gordy Jr., now 88 years old, was born in Detroit in 1929 and founded Motown Records in 1959. His impact on the music industry cannot be understated; his label gave birth to some of the most renowned artists of all time including Diana Ross & The Supremes, Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye among many others. Since then, Motown has become one of the biggest musical forces in history and transformed pop culture as we know it.
The news that Berry Gordy will retire after completing work on “Motown: The Musical” marks an important milestone in both his life and legacy. As he exits from active involvement in the business side of things, this article reflects upon his incredible journey thus far — emphasizing how much further he could have gone had he chosen to remain involved longer into his later years.
History Of Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy has been a major force in the music industry for more than six decades. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Berry began his career as an independent songwriter before founding Motown Records in 1959. From then on, he served as the company’s president and CEO until 1988 when he sold half of the shares to MCA/Universal Music Group. The other half was later acquired by PolyGram records in 1994.
Throughout his storied career with Motown, Berry made it possible for talented black artists to be heard on mainstream radio stations across America. He also produced numerous hit singles like “Please Mr Postman” by The Marvelettes and “My Girl” by The Temptations that still remain popular today. In addition to producing classic hits, Berry developed a system called “The Hitsville Formula” which allowed him to create chart-topping songs quickly and efficiently.
Nowadays, at age 87, Berry is preparing to retire from the entertainment business after Broadway musical “Motown: The Musical” closes its final performance. It will mark the end of an era for both himself and his beloved label that changed music forever.
Retirement Plans For Motown: The Musical
With the closing of Motown: The Musical, Berry Gordy will officially bring his illustrious career in music to a close. After decades of creating memorable records and iconic hits, he is ready to step away from the industry for good.
As retirement looms closer, Berry has made plans to ensure that Motown’s legacy lives on. He has established the “Motown Museum”, which opened its doors in Detroit in 1985. It houses thousands of artifacts and memorabilia related to the label’s history including costumes worn by famous artists during their time at Motown such as Diana Ross’ gowns and Michael Jackson’s sequined glove. This museum serves as an important reminder of just how far black musicians were able to reach thanks to Berry’s pioneering efforts.
Berry also produced two movies based off of his life story; 1988’s The Last Dragon and 2013’s Motown: The Musical movie adaptation on Broadway. Both films help keep alive the memory of a man who revolutionized popular music by bringing together genres like soul, funk, jazz and R&B into one sound known affectionately as ‘The Sound Of Young America’. As we bid farewell to this legendary figure, it is safe to say that his mark on music will be remembered forever.
Conclusion
Berry Gordy has been an influential figure in the music industry, as both a singer and songwriter. He is best known for founding Motown Records and launching musical careers of some of the most iconic artists like The Supremes, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and more. After producing “Motown: The Musical” on Broadway, it appears that Berry Gordy will be retiring from his career in music production.
Gordy’s decision to retire comes after over 60 years working in the music business. His impact on the musical landscape can still be seen today with many young musicians citing him as an influence. Even though he won’t be actively involved with music production anymore, his legacy will live on through all the amazing songs he produced and nurtured throughout his career.
Retirement may come as bittersweet news to fans of Berry Gordy but one thing is undeniable; this man made history by bringing together different genres of music to create something truly unique and special. Although we’ll no longer see new works from him, there are already generations who have been educated about his contribution to culture thanks to Motown: The Musical. There’s no doubt that we’ll continue celebrating Berry Gordy’s life and work for years to come!
