Perspective

During this 50th-anniversary celebration of Motown, it is fitting that people reminisce, reflect, and remember all the great artists and music that Berry Gordy presented to us: Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Temptations, Mary Wells, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Marvelettes, Marvin Gaye, Edwin Starr, Jr. Walker & the All Stars, the Spinners, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, the Commodores and Lionel Richie, Rick James, Teena Marie, the incomparable Stevie Wonder, and more. The undisputed talent that came out of the studios at Hitsville U.S.A. in the Motor City was remarkable for its freshness and its creativity and equally remarkable because — without a man named Berry Gordy — we would not have one note of that music to cherish today. Nor would we have ever heard of these unique artists. Continue Reading

The last time I met with Michael, we saw each other from across the room and he made a point of coming over to say “hello.” Instead of greeting me with something like, “Al – it’s great to see you,” he instead simply grinned at me and said, “By the time I get to Phoenix!” Continue Reading