by Berry Gordy
And anyone who has the luck to meet you, when they’re
down you can pick them right up-up.
Pops, we love you, yes we do…
Pop loved it and was thrilled when Stevie, Marvin, Diana, and Smokey decided to record it as a commercial release, produced by my niece Iris, who was running the Creative Division at that time. I was thrilled with what they did as well.
Up till the day Pop died, November 21, 1978, he remained the pillar of mental and physical strength.
Pop often used to say, “You can give without lovin’ but you cain’t love without givin’,” and sure enough he loved and gave to me with a capacity I have never found in anyone else. When I’d talk to most people I knew, they’d usually want to talk about the big hits or how much money I was making, but whenever Pop saw me the first thing he would always say was something like, “How ya’ feelin’ son? Gettin’ enough rest? Are ya’ happy?”
He was the greatest man in the world, he loved me unconditionally, and in so many ways let me know I was his boy.
That day on the podium in Detroit, in the hard-driving rain, standing beside Michael Jackson, my sister Esther and the mayor of Detroit, Coleman Young, I thought about my parents, Mother and Pop. I wished they could have been there to feel what I was feeling—pride. It was the same kind of pride I had on the night of Motown 25. Not just in myself and in Michael, but in Detroit, my home, the place that had nurtured me. And the museum, which would be the messenger of our history for generations to come. Not just a history of singing and dancing and building entertainers, but much more—a history of a black entrepreneurship that gave all people an opportunity to reach their full potential. We had done that at Hitsville where young people had learned how to write, produce, think, make choices. The choices they made and the dreams they followed all contributed to the magic that was Motown.
For a moment I was that eight-year-old kid again, running out of the house after Joe Louis had knocked out Max Schmeling, thinking, “How could I ever do anything in my life that could make this many people happy?”
And in that one moment, I thought maybe I had come close.
FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
In addition to those I acknowledged at the beginning of the book, there are others I would like to thank who in one way or another played a part in my life story:
Muhammad Ali, Napoleon “Snags” Allen, Richard “Pistol” Allen, Jack Andrews, Army Archerd, Jack Ashford, Clarence Avant, Bob Babbitt, Burt Bacharach, Tom Baird, Jack Ballard, Frank Banyai, Ernie Barnes, Terry Barnes, H. B. Barnum, Ben Barrett, Pierre Bass, Benny Benjamin, Bob Birndorf, Louis Blau, David Blumberg, Avrum Bluming, Milt Bogrow, Hamilton Bohannon, George Bohanon, Ashley Boone, Dick Boone, Jeffrey Bowen, Ruth Bowen, Booker Bradshaw, John Britton, Jack Brokensha, Earl Brooks, Eddie “Bongo” Brown, Jim Brown, Larry Brown, Ollie Brown, Sonny Burke, Jheryl Busby, G. C. Cameron, James Carmichael, Barbara Carrera, Diahann Carroll, Carol Caruso, Tommy Chapman, George Christy, Dave Clark, Jane Clark, Tom Clay, Jim Cleaver, Dennis Coffey, Hazel Coleman, Robert Coleman, Dino Conte, Don Cornelius, Hank Cosby, Suzanne Coston, John Coursey, Bob Cousar, Warren Cowan, Frankie Crocker, Greg Crockett, Jim Crook, Sandra Crouch, Tony D’Anna, Bobby Darin, Clive Davis, Sammy Davis, Jr., Lloyd Dayes, Al DiNoble, Mike Douglas, Charlene Duncan, John Dunn, Ken East, Glen Eaton, Tomiko Eaton, Billy Eckstine, Shirley Eder, Herb Eiseman, King Errisson, Ahmet Ertegun, Yvonne Fair, Wilton Felder, Jose Feliciano, Pete Felleman, Lester Felton, Bill Fitelson, Lon Fontaine, Don Foster, George Fowler, Rev. C. L. Franklin, Fred Freed, Gordon Frewin, Jimmy Garrett, David Geffen, Gertrude Gibson, Gloria Gilbert, Lee Gladden, Vivianne Gladden, Richard Gold, Leonard Goldberg, Martin Goldfarb, Marc Gordon, all the Gordy nieces, nephews and in-laws, including those who worked at the company: Denise, Desiree, Gregory, Iris, Karen, Linda, Patrice, Robert, Jr., Rodney, Roxanna, Tommy, and Robert Bullock; Debra Gorney, Dick Grace, Cornelius Grant, Ed Greene, Booker Griffin, Merv Griffin, Rita Griffin, Johnny Griffith, Al Gross, Bernie Grundman, Peggi Hager, Alex Haley, Dave Hamilton, Barry Harris, Maggie Hathaway, Burl Hechtman, Lois Hicks, Karen Hodge, Doris Holland, Brenda Holloway, Patrice Holloway, Robert E. Holmes, Daryl Houston, Thelma Houston, Buddy Howe, Joe Hunter, Chuck Jackson, McKinley Jackson, James Jamerson, Dani Janssen, Tommie Johnson, Ardena Johnston, Gerrie Gooden-Jones, Gloria Jones, Ken Jones, Quincy Jones, Regina Jones, Tony Jones, Uriel Jones, Ron Kaplan, Casey Kasem, Mary Kelly, Leon Isaac Kennedy, Kum Sook Kim, Coretta Scott King, Al Klein, Charles Koppelman, Ed Landry, Bill Lane, John Laragh, Mel Larson, Floria Lasky, Abe Lastfogel, Ernie Leaner, Norman Lear, Johnny Lee, Archie Levingston, the Lewis Sisters, Jack Lorenz, Peter Love, Jay Lowy, Clyde A. Luck, Jr., Michael Lushka, Si Mael, Jerry Marcellino, Wade Marcus, Teena Marie, Rose Merie Marion, John Marshall, Diane Martin, Michael Masser, John Matousek, Candace Mayeron, George “Sye” McArthur, Ray McCann, Clarence McDonald, Carrie McDowell, Gerald McFarland, Nate McKalpain, John McKune, Clay McMurray, Larry McMurtry, Barbara McNair, Curtis McNair, Bruce McNall, Quinton McRae, Benny Medina, Sue Mengers, Joe Messina, Sidney Miller, Bernice Morrison, Marshall Murphy, Carol Needham, John O’Den, Nikki Oliver, Terry Ormsbee, Mike Ossman, Mo Ostin, Gene Page, Ray Parker, Jr., Gino Parks, Johnny Pate, Don Peake, Gene Pello, Barney Perkins, Vince Perrone, Ed Pollack, Doryce Postles, Gordon Prince, Peter Prince, John Ramsey, Jimmy Raskin, Russ Regan, Robert Richey, Jr., Berry Berope Robinson, Ruth Robinson, Robert Robitaille, John Rockwell, Gwendolyn Rooks, Rona Rose, Robert Rosenthal, Ernestine Ross, Fred Ross, Jr., Lenny Ross, Jr., Frank Rothman, Jimmy Ruffin, Barbara Rush, Mark Saginor, Abdul “Chiefy” Salaam, Alan Salke, Joe Sample, Van Gordon Sauter, Carolyn Sautter, Joe Schaffner, Bobby Schiffman, Tom Schlesinger, Jerry Schoenith, Tom Schoenith, Jimmy Schwartz, Robin Seymour, Robert Shapiro, Simone Sheffield, Gene Shelby, Louis Shelton, Bunky Sheppard, Richard Sherman, Willie Shorter, Alfie Silas, Lester Sill, Joe Smith, Michael Smith, Ariane “Honey” Sorps, Aaron Spelling, Katharine Stalford, Gordon Staples and the Detroit Symphony Strings, John Staunton, Larry Stephens, Michael Stokes, Ron Strasner, Troy Stratos, Tony Suglia, Joe Summers, Marv Tarplin, Ed Tawil, LeBaron Taylor, Mike Terry, Norman Thrasher, Alex Tovar, Earl Van Dyke, Tata Vega, Stanley Vogel, Ronnie Wakefield, David T. Walker, Ken Walker, Dale Warren, “Wah Wah” Watson, David Watts, William Weatherspoon, Myrna Webb, Jerry Weintraub, Wayne Weisbart, Sam Weisbord, Norman Weiss, Jay Weston, Jerry Wexler, Robert White, Reggie Wiggins, Amos Wilder, Ernie Wilkins, Andre Williams, Blinky Williams, Eddie Willis, Leroy Willis, David Wolper, Sonny Woods, Benjamin F. Wright, Jr., Greg Wright, Syreeta Wright, Richard “Popcorn” Wylie, Henry Wynn, Bernard Yeszin, Lee Young, Jr., Lee Young, Sr., Margaret Zito.
RELEASED COMPOSITIONS BY BERRY GORDY
WRITTEN WITH ROQUEL BILLY DAVIS (AKA TYRAN CARLO)
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Father Dear
I’m Wanderin’
It’s So Fine
The Magic Song
Oo Shucks
Reet Petite
She Don’t Love You
So Good
Soda Pop
Vacation Time
Who Wouldn’t Love A Man Like That
WRITTEN WITH GWEN GORDY AND ROQUEL BILLY DAVIS (AKA TYRAN CARLO)
All I Could Do Was Cry
Hit And Runaway Love
I’ll Be Satisfied
Just For Your Love
Lonely Teardrops
Oops, I’m Sorry
That’s Why (I Love You So)
To Be Loved
You
You Got What It Takes
You Made A Fool Out Of Me
WRITTEN WITH WILLIAM “SMOKEY” ROBINSON
Ain’t It Baby
All I Want Is You
Bad Girl
Broken Hearted
Custer’s Last Man
Don’t Say Bye Bye
Dynamite
Easier Said Than Done
The Feeling Is So Fine
Fire Fly
I Cry
I Love Your B
aby
I Need A Change
I Need Some Money
I’m Gonna Cry
Insane
It
It’s Me
It’s Out Of The Question
Money
A New Girl
Oh I Apologize
The Old Miner
Shop Around
That Child Is Really Wild
That’s The Way I Feel
Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right
Way Over There
Who’s The Fool
Yes No, Maybe So
(You Can) Depend On Me
You Never Miss A Good Thing
WRITTEN WITH THE CORPORATION
(Alphonso Mizell, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards)
ABC
Bless You
Coming Home
Don’t Let Your Baby Catch You
Goin’ Back To Indiana
I Found That Girl
I Want You Back
I Will Find A Way
If I Have To Move A Mountain
I’m Gonna Get You
I’m So Happy
It’s Great To Be Here
Live It Up
The Love You Save
Mama’s Pearl
Maybe Tomorrow
My Little Baby
Nobody
One More Chance
Petals
She’s Good
Sugar Daddy
To Know
We’ve Got A Good Thing Going
You Made Me What I Am
Your Love Makes It All Worthwhile
WRITTEN WITH ROBERT GORDY
Everyone Was There
Hang On Bill
and George Gordy
Hold Me Tight
It Hurts To Be In Love
Moonlight On The Beach
Shock
You’re Just Like You
WRITTEN WITH MARV JOHNSON
Ain’t Gonna Be That Way
Baby Baby Baby
Come To Me
This Heart Of Mine
Whisper
WRITTEN WITH BARNEY ALES
Buttered Popcorn
Christmas Twist
Congo Twist
and Loucye Gordy Wakefield, Ronald Wakefield
Flying Circle Twist
Mexican Twist
Old Folks Twist
Twist Ala BG
Twistin’ Ales Style
Twisting The World Around
White House Twist
and Brian Holland
COMPOSITIONS WITH VARIOUS WRITERS
All The Love I’ve Got
Brian Holland, Janie Bradford
Angel
Charles Leverett, William Sanders, Robert Bateman
The Battle Song (I’m The One)
Willie Hutch
The Bingo Long Song (Steal On Home)
Ronald Miller, Berry Gordy IV
Blue Cinderella
Janie Bradford
Check Yourself
David English, Otis Williams, Al Bryant
Do I Owe
Alphonso Mizell, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards, Christine Yarian
Don’t Leave Me
Robert Bateman, Brian Holland, William Sanders
Don’t Let Him Shop Around
William Robinson, Loucye Gordy Wakefield, Ronald Wakefield
Everybody Knew It But Me
Gwen Gordy
Everything For Christmas
Teddy Randazzo
Get It Together
Hal Davis, Donald Fletcher, Mel Larson, Jerry Marcellino
Give Love On Christmas Day
Alphonso Mizell, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards, Christine Yarian
Glasshouse
Charlemagne (James Carmichael, Ronald Miller, Kathy Wakefield)
Going To The Hop
Charles Leverett
Got A Job
William Robinson, Tyran Carlo
Happy Days
Alma McKnight
Hello Detroit
Wille Hutch
I Call It Pretty Music, But The Old Folks Call It The Blues
Clarence Paul
I Don’t Want To Take A Chance
William Stevenson
I Love The Way You Love
Mikaljon (Stanley MIKe Ossman, AL Abrams, JOhN Oden)
I Want A Guy
Brian Holland, Freddie Gorman
I Want To Go Back There Again
Chris Clark
If You Should Walk Away
Frank Wilson
I’ll Be There
Hal Davis, Willie Hutch, Bob West
I’ll Set You Free
Gwen Gordy, Ivy Joe Hunter, Renee Lee Tener
I’m Livin’ In Shame
The Clan (Henry Cosby, R. Dean Taylor, Frank Wilson, Pam Sawyer)
I’m So Sorry
Earl Brooks, Lessie Brooks
Is It Him Or Me
Alphonso Mizell, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards, Christine Yarian
Isn’t She Pretty
Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams
Jim Dandy Got Married
Tyran Carlo, Alonzo Tucker, Lincoln Chase, Albert Green
The Joke’s Not On Me
Gwen Gordy, Janie Bradford
Love Don’t Want To Leave
Alphonso Mizell, Freddie Penen, Deke Richards, Christine Yarian
Love Song
Alphonso Mizell, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards, Christine Yarian
Lover
William, Robinson, Brian Holland
Mama
William Robinson, Janie Bradford
Mama Done Told Me
William Robinson, Tyran Carlo
The Man With The Rock And Roll Banjo Band
Clarence Paul
May What He Lived For Live
Esther Gordy Edwards, W. A. Bisson
Midnight Johnny
Thelma Gordy, Richard Street
Money And Me
William Robinson, Freddie Gorman, Janie Bradford
Money (That’s What I Want)
Janie Bradford
Motor City
Charles Leverett
Move Mr. Man
Rebecca Nichols
My Beloved
Brian Holland, Charles Leverett
No Matter What Sign You Are
Henry Cosby
Oh Lover
William Robinson, Brian Holland
Oh Mary
William Stevenson
Please Mr. Kennedy
Loucye Gordy Wakefield, Ronald Wakefield
Power
Angelo Bond, Jean Mayer
Reality
Wesley Henderson, Tom Baird
River Of Tears
Gilbert Martin
Save Me A Star
Gwen Gordy, Janie Bradford
Seven Day Fool
Sonny Woods, Tyran Carlo
Someday Pretty Baby
James Woodley
Sugar Daddy
William Sanders, Charles Leverett
Sweet Man
Angelo Bond, William Weatherspoon
Ten Miles Beyond
Tom Baird
(They Call Me) Cupid
Brian Holland, Norman Whitfield
Tonight’s The Night
Earl Van Dyke, William Stevenson
Up On The Housetop
Alphonso Mizell, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards, Christine Yarian
Walk On Don’t Look Back
Alphonso Mizell, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards, Christine Yarian
What Goes Up Must Come Down
Gwen Gordy
What Have We Got To Lose
Willie Hutch
Wings Of My Love
Alphonso Mizell, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards, Christine Yarian
Wrong Man, Right Touch
Angelo Bond, William Weatherspoon, Iris Gordy, Barbara Mitchell
You’ve Made Me So Very Happy
Brenda Holloway, Patrice Holloway, Frank Wilso
n
BERRY GORDY ALONE
Baby Don’t Go
Baby Shake
Bam
Because I Love Her
The Beginning Of The End
Camel Walk
Come On Boy
Day By Day Or Never
Do Right Baby Do Right
Do You Love Me
Don’t Be Too Long
Don’t Let Her Be Your Baby
Don’t Take It Away
Dream Come True
Everybody’s Going
Everybody’s Talkin’ About My Baby
Farewell My Love
Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas
Here You Come
He’s Alright
Hot ’n’ Tot
How Can We Tell Him
I Gotta Have Your Lovin’
(I Guess There’s) No Love
I Need You
I’m Coming Home
I’m Gonna Stay
I’m Hooked
It Moves Me
It’s Gonna Be Hard Times
(I’ve Got To) Cry Over You
Just Let Me Know
Keep Me
Let Me Go The Right Way
Let Me Love You
Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide
Looking For A Man
Magic Mirror
Merry-Go-Round
My Baby’s Gone
My Daddy Knows Best
Never Again
Paradise
Part-Time Lover
Play A Sad Song
Please Forgive Me
Poor Sam Jones
Shake Sherrie
Show Me
Snake Walk
So Grateful
That’s Where I Lost My Baby
That’s Why I Love You So Much
Try It Baby
Was It Worth It
What Makes You Love Him
When Someone’s Good To You
Why Do You Want To Let Me Go
Will You Love Me
You Ain’t Gonna Find
You Better Get In Line
You Can Cry On My Shoulder
You Don’t Want Me No More
You Knows What To Do
You Need Me
You’ll Never Cherish A Love So True (’Til You Lose It)
You’ve Got To Move Two Mountains
Your Baby’s Back
Your Love Is Wonderful
Your Wonderful Love
COPYRIGHT ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I Wonder by Berry Gordy, © 1985 Berry Gordy. All rights reserved.