Berry Gordy Research Paper

Berry Gordy Jr. grew up in Detroit during a time when it was known for its rich music scene. Gordy Jr. grew up in a hard-working family, and he realized he did not want to work in a 9 to 5 job. He was inspired by the music that surrounded him and wanted to make his passion a business. With his entrepreneurial spirit, he created Motown Records, and thus a musical empire was born. Motown Records created history with their music and forever changed the music industry. Its music brought a whole generation of people together and put forth some of the greatest artists of all time. Motown Records revolutionized the music industry. Motown Records started as an independent recording label. Independent recording labels were very important

An example of this is the song “Respect”, which was originally sung by Otis Redding and was covered by Aretha Franklin. Independent recording labels also allowed songs to be popular on different musical charts other than its own. This made a huge impact on the music industry because, for example, an R&B song could also appear on the pop charts at the same time it was on the R&B charts. Independent recording labels often played music that was popular in the area they were located in. Since Motown Records was founded in Detroit, it combined elements of blues, jazz, gospel, and bebop genres into its music. These are all the types of music that surrounded Detroit, and they gave the city a reputation of having a vibrant music scene. Another major contribution to the music industry by independent recording labels was allowing artists an opportunity of a lifetime by signing them onto their labels when major recording companies wouldn’t, thus making them legitimate. Motown Records signed African Americans onto their label at a time when there was rampant prejudice in the music industry. The company also signed kids who were musical prodigies like Stevie Wonder and Michael

In Where Did Our Love Go?: The Rise and Fall of the Motown Sound Berry is quoted as saying “I’m not going to work on a job for eight hours a day, ‘cause that ain’t where it’s at” (George 12). Berry Gordy needed passion to fuel his tireless work ethic, and he found this passion in music. Two of Berry Gordy’s sisters, Anna and Gwen, and record producer Billy Davis wanted him to be the president of their own recording company, Anna Records. However, Berry Gordy was determined to create a business that would be his very own. One of Berry Gordy’s good friends, musician Smokey Robinson, also encouraged him to start his music business. With a loan of $800 dollars that came from both his royalties from his time as a song writer and his family, Tamla Records (which quickly changed to Motown Records) was born (Wikipedia contributors 2017). Motown Records made an impact on the music industry because they developed sounds that were unique. The use of drums, tambourines, handclapping, drums, bass, keyboards, and brass instruments helped to define the “Motown Sound”. These instruments and sounds were perfected by The Funk Brothers, who were Motown’s in-house band and the envy of all competing recording companies. They