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To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown
The story of Motown Records and how it changed the course of American music, as told by its founder—“an African American culture hero of historic stature” (The New York Times). Berry Gordy Jr., who once considered becoming a boxer, started a record company with a family loan of $800 in 1959. Gordy’s company, Motown Records, went on to create some of the most popular music of all time. By the time he sold the company nearly thirty years later, it was worth $61 million and had produced musical legends including Jackie Wilson, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, and the Jackson 5. Here, the revolutionary who shattered the color barrier in the American entertainment industry and forever changed the way the world hears music, shares his story of ambition and vision. From humble beginnings, Gordy amassed a fortune and became a musical kingmaker in the cultural heydays of the 1960s and ’70s. Quelling rumors and detailing his relationships with the artists he managed, Gordy pens “a vivid recreation of a great period and a seminal company in popular music” (Kirkus Reviews).
560 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 2, 2021
A Hero
Mr. Gordy is a longtime hero of mine. Not only was he able to succeed in a business in which only Whites had owned & ran record companies, he also assembled & developed the greatest roster of recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, etc., in musical history. The Motown catalog from the 1960s/1970s has never been & will never be equaled. The enduring superstars whose careers he guided & promoted -- Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie & the late Michael Jackson & the late Marvin Gaye -- and all the other talented artists he brought to Motown are a lasting testament to his genius! Motown really is forever & it was great to read the story in his words. He created the soundtrack of my life!
Mr. Gordy is a longtime hero of mine. Not only was he able to succeed in a business in which only Whites had owned & ran record companies, he also assembled & developed the greatest roster of recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, etc., in musical history. The Motown catalog from the 1960s/1970s has never been & will never be equaled. The enduring superstars whose careers he guided & promoted -- Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie & the late Michael Jackson & the late Marvin Gaye -- and all the other talented artists he brought to Motown are a lasting testament to his genius! Motown really is forever & it was great to read the story in his words. He created the soundtrack of my life!
May 19, 2020
Ehhh
This book is very narrow and doesn’t really say much. I finished it waiting for all the juicy info. There was none. No inside info. No clarified rumors. I’m such a Motown fan I finished it but once I did I felt I didn’t know much more about Motown than when I started reading it.
This book is very narrow and doesn’t really say much. I finished it waiting for all the juicy info. There was none. No inside info. No clarified rumors. I’m such a Motown fan I finished it but once I did I felt I didn’t know much more about Motown than when I started reading it.
February 27, 2021
Could’ve done with more Motown details
I enjoyed this book and how it looked at Motown and I understand it’s his story but I feel like there’s so much more he could’ve said. I probably would’ve enjoyed it more if I hadn’t just read another music book
I enjoyed this book and how it looked at Motown and I understand it’s his story but I feel like there’s so much more he could’ve said. I probably would’ve enjoyed it more if I hadn’t just read another music book
May 4, 2019
Excellent Piece of Work!
This is the story everyone has been wanting to hear. The history and the stories are memorable. I’m now an even bigger Motown fan. Salute!
This is the story everyone has been wanting to hear. The history and the stories are memorable. I’m now an even bigger Motown fan. Salute!
June 17, 2025
Berry Gordon the greatest!
He does not get enough credit. Even though we know partially why. But what this man had achieved as a independent label is amazing
He does not get enough credit. Even though we know partially why. But what this man had achieved as a independent label is amazing
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews