Diana Ross, of the Supremes, and a superstar, took to Twitter today to wish Berry Gordy a Happy 91st birthday. We join her. Gordy, founder of Motown Records, is Ross’s mentor, friend and ex lover, father of her daughter Rhonda. They go back nearly 50 years and the affection is still there between them.
Berry Gordy is 91 but looks and acts like he’s 61. He is indeed amazing. He’s no saint, that’s for sure. But his accomplishment is quite extraordinary. He invented a whole category of popular music. It’s not just R&B or soul, it’s Motown. “Play me a Motown record.” It’s very specific and yet very broad. And it takes in the Supremes, the Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, and the killer acts like the Temptations, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and on and on.
So here’s to Berry Gordy. One day there will be a real movie about him, and it will be fascinating. He’s a one of a kind genius.
I’m including this picture I took of him and Aretha Franklin. They were friends from their neighborhood in Detroit. BG, as is he is known, was like a pussy cat at Aretha’s birthday parties. He held her in high esteem, and vice versa even though she didn’t record for him. I know he misses her.
Happy 91st Birthday! You are amazing! pic.twitter.com/lyMzEY2nMh
— Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss) November 28, 2020
