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[Page S5627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
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60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOTOWN
Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 60th
anniversary of Motown and remarkable life of Berry Gordy, Jr., a man
who achieved one of the most significant musical accomplishments of the
20th century. Motown is the sound that changed America; it broke
barriers between people and united fans of every race and creed.
Mr. Gordy was born in 1929 to a middle-class family on the east side
of Detroit. At first, Mr. Gordy pursued his dreams to become a
professional boxer and boxed until 1950 when he was drafted to serve
his country in the Korean war. After returning from Korea in 1953, Mr.
Gordy began to pursue his passion for music by opening a record store,
and then went on to work at the Ford Lincoln-Mercury Plant.
In 1959, Gordy founded Tamla Records that would go on to become
Motown after he received an $800 loan and moved to 2648 W. Grand Blvd,
also known as Hitsville U.S.A. Due to Detroit being known as the Motor
City, Mr. Gordy, in tribute to what he felt was a city of warm, soulful
people and Detroit being his hometown, decided the perfect name for his
company and new label would be ``Motown.''
Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy formed an early partnership and co-
wrote Motown Records' first smash-hit ``Shop Around,'' recorded by The
Miracles, who would go on to be Motown's first million-record selling
record. Soon, other acts would follow, including legendary artists such
as the Supremes, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and the
Temptations, all discovered by Mr. Gordy.
In the 1960s alone, Motown Records had over 75 records in the top 10
of the Billboard Hot 100. In the 1970s, Motown moved to California and
continued to create hits with a Detroit sound by groups such as the
Jackson 5 and the Commodores. With so many music legends, Motown has
often been considered one of the greatest labels of all time.
In 1998, Mr. Gordy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
as founder and helmsman of the Motown music empire.
In addition to music, Mr. Gordy produced films such as the Oscar-
nominated, ``Lady Day Sings the Blues'' and ``Mahogany.'' both starring
Motown icon Diana Ross. In 2013, Mr. Gordy went on to write and produce
``Motown: the Musical,'' to tell his story and the story of Motown
Records. ``Motown: the Musical'' went on to play 738 Broadway
performances, and have massively successful national tours and
international productions.
Mr. Gordy founded an American music institution that exemplifies the
unity that must exist in our country and created a sound that still
moves the Motor City today. Motown's music has become a genre all its
own and has grown to be beloved all over the world. Motown music helped
break barriers, and it is my hope that the legacy of Barry Gordy, Jr.,
and Motown will inspire the next generation of leaders to follow their
passion and change the world.
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