Berry Gordy is still alive. For decades, it has maintained its position as the highest-earning music company under black ownership. This choice later led him to serve overseas in the Korean War in the early '50s. She portrayed Toni Burrell on Another World from 1997 to 1999. Read more about Berry Gordy's children here. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". According to Celebrity Net Worth, Berry Gordy has an estimated net worth of $400 million (288m). However, as that name was taken, he chose the name Tamla Records. He later received $330 million for the songs after Polygram bought the Motown catalogue. We bring you the most up-to-date information from around the world in multiple niches. He started from the very ground level and started a record store in Detroit by the name Three-D Record Mart; however, he was not able to support himself and his family with the store, so he decided to shut it down and join the Lincoln-Mercury plant as an employee, but his heart was still in composing songs. According to his date of birth, Berry Gordy is 92 years old. MUZUis a trendy magazine for trending topics. The Kennedy Center Honors is returning in December with a class that includes Motown Records creator Berry Gordy, Saturday Night Live mastermind Lorne Michaels and actress-singer Bette Midler . Who: Grammy-nominated record executive and Motown founder Berry Gordy, 91, and Grammy and Oscar-nominated singer and occasional actress Diana Ross, 77. Picture: Getty With partner Jeana Jackson, Berry Gordy had one daughter: On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Berry also owns a nearby parcel of 5,000 square feet. With each reincarnation of his talent, his determination grew. There were poignant, reflective moments including an admission that he has only recently come to fully grasp "the love" directed toward him and Motown's legacy. Berry Gordy, the Detroit native who built Motown Records from a shoestring operation into a music, film and televisionempire, told a hometown crowd Sunday night that he is at last retiring. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Berry Gordy IV (born 1955), his son is LMFAO member Skyler aka Sky Blu Terry James Gordy (born 1956) In 1960, he married Raynoma Mayberry Liles, and divorceed in 1964. His height is 1.75 m tall, and his weight is 80 kg. He is 2.08 m tall and weighs 98 kg. [8], On November 29, 2018, Rockwell was arrested in Hollywood for allegedly beating a female associate with a chair at the Magic Castle Hotel after she approached him and demanded payment. [1][3] "Somebody's Watching Me" became a Gold-certified[3] #2 song in the US, which also peaked at #6 in the UK. Berry Gordy is a very hard-working man who didnt lose hope when all his business ventures failed. Berry Gordy is an American record executive, record producer, songwriter, film producer and television producer. Plane Carrying Fans to Red Sox vs. Astros ALCS Game Collides Outside Houston. Berry Gordys net worth is$400 million. The enterprising Gordy helped revolutionize American and global culture via Motown, shepherding young Detroit talent and eventually churning out stars such as Diana Ross & the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations and the Jackson 5. He also sold his interests in Jobete publishing to EMI publishing. "No way I was going to shoot this movie without kissing (Gordy's) ring," he said. Biography, age, profession, website, profiles, net worth, Who is Miles Raney? Diana Ross and Berry Gordy changed the face of popular music while at Motown. Gordy moved forward by establishing his own publishing company that went by the name Jobete. However, it didnt catch as much success as Berry Gordy was striving for. In between her career as a realtor, she was inspired by her father to start a charity in 2004. However, the job failed to catch his interest, and he often ends up making songs in his head. His family connections helped him advance his career by co-writing the popular Jackie Wilson song, Reet Petite. After that, Gordy continued to write more songs for Wilson. WASHINGTON Before he created a Detroit music juggernaut,. After returning from the war in 1953, Berry found his interest in music and started an unsuccessful record shop named the 3-D Record Mart. That further leads him to finally open Motown Records. She decided to get a real estate license and soon after launched a brokerage. He later launched a second label called Motown, with both eventually merged into a new company, Motown Record Corporation in April 1960. Berry Gordy III, also known professionally as Berry Gordy Jr., was born on November 28, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan. Don't forget to watch the 44th annual Kennedy Center Honors on Wednesday, December 22 at 9 p.m. Following this, Gordy established a small publishing company of his own with the name Jobete which failed to make a mark, so he established his record-producing company called Motown Records in the year 1949. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Do not reproduce (even with permission). She celebrated her 78th birthday in 2022. Age/How Old: Together, they welcomed one son, Kerry. From 2013 to 2014, Redfoo appeared as a judge on X Factor Australia. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Berry Gordy is a 93-year-old director, producer, and entrepreneur who is widely recognized for founding his own record label, Motown Records. Motown has developed many successful artists in the 60s and 70s. Berry Gordy has an estimated net worth of $450 million as of January 2023. However, the details about their marriage have been kept very private. He wrote or co-composed a number of classic hits including 'Shop Around' (The Miracles) 'Reet Petite' (Jackie Wilson) and 'Do You Love Me' (The Contours), and as part of The Corporation he wrote many hit songs for The Jackson 5, including 'I Want You Back' and 'ABC'. Berrys first international success came with the Reet Petite song for Jackie Wilson. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You have entered an incorrect email address! Other than earning the majority from his label, the songwriter has also earned . He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet, " they said. To name a few, The Supremes, Gladys Knight, and the Pips, The Contours, Jimmy Ruffin, The Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, and many more artists worked with Motown Records. Height/How Tall: His record label developed many artists who went on to do great work. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. In 2014, he sold his condo in Century City, California, for $2 million. She became a massive part of Motown Records, helping with publishing operations and putting together a group of background vocalists. Rumors of the producers alleged demise gained traction on Thursday after a R.I.P. Diana Ross' first born, 49 year old Rhonda Ross, did an interview a while back, where she discussed how she eventually discovered that her Dad was not a tall, Jewish-American man, but rather an African American Motown Records head honcho.For those who don't know, Rhonda had often been referred to as Diana's and Berry Gordy's . overland park veterinary . Required fields are marked *. His eighth and youngest child was a son born to Nancy Leiviska. He has accumulated all his wealth from his successful record producer and songwriter career. "This trip to my hometown Detroit has been overwhelming to me," he said Sunday night. Meantime, he utilized his free time to write songs considering his work on Reet Petite, which became a hit for singer Jackie Wilson. Cars Berry dropped out of high school in the eleventh grade, with the hopes of becoming a professional boxer, and boxed professionally until 1950, when he was drafted by the United States Army in 1951 during the Korean War. Gordy used his power and energy to orchestrate a new cultural wave known as 'Motown;' starting from a house in . Hazel Gordy is the oldest child of Berry Gordy, Jr. and his first wife Thelma Coleman. He was the seventh of eight children. In 2013, Berry Gordy became the first person to win the Songwriters Hall of Fame s Pioneer Award. Monitor Picture Library/Avalon/Getty Images. fallsview casino parking rates 2021 Newsletter . Berry Gordy Facebook page attracted nearly one million of likes. The Kennedy Center Honors will return in December with a class that includes Motown Records creator Berry Gordy, "Saturday Night Live" mastermind Lorne Michaels and actress-singer Bette Midler.. Find the perfect berry gordy stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. President Obama bestowed the National Medal of Arts on him and other cultural icons. The model was engaged to Jermaine Jackson on the 15th of December, 1973. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. In the heart of the holiday season in the nation's capital, it was a grand and bustling couple of days for Gordy and his fellow 2021 honorees, including singer-actress Bette Midler, "Saturday. LMFAO (an initialism for Laughing My Freaking Ass Off) is an A It went on to become America's biggest black-owned corporation. Age, family, song, movies and tv shows, profiles, net worth. Gordy Jr. dropped out of high school to pursue his dream of . [1] Motown actually came up with the name Rockwell and the young Gordy agreed to the change because he believed he "rocked well.". muzu.tv is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, endless.com, smallparts.com, myhabit.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. Daniels has embarked on his own Holiday film "The United States vs. Billie Holiday" and said that's what led him to Detroit this weekend. This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 06:43. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Motown Records finally came into existence in the month of April of the year 1949. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Both parties are known to be tender to all their kids, mostly Jaimy and Autumn. Where Motown had resisted political messages in its lyrics (Berry Gordy Jr. fought hard to convince Marvin Gaye not to release "What's Going On"), at P.I.R. As the founder of Motown Records, Berry Gordy produced music for Diana Ross, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and many more iconic artists.About Drunk History:. July 21, 2021 The 44th Kennedy Center Honorees announced today include Motown founder Berry Gordy, folk icon Joni Mitchell, entertainer Bette Midler, TV impresario Lorne Michaels and opera . Berry Gordy is not gay. In 1976, he purchased his first piece in Bel-Air. Her mother married her first husband, Rob Silberstein when she was born. After the war, Gordy launched his songwriting career and gained moderate success. He has also developed a Broadway musical about Motown in 2011. Los Angeles Berry Gordy enters his library without a hint of a flourish. He also published an autobiography in the year 1994. As Gordy recounted in his 1994 memoir "To Be Loved," when news of Kennedy's assassination started to trickle out on TV and radio on Nov. 22, 1963, he was in the midst of an argument with Marvin. She is okay and living fine. Berry Gordy is the latest celeb to fall victim to a death hoax, Berry Gordy dead 2023 : Motown founder killed by internet death hoax. 2023 MediaMass All rights reserved. In total, Gordy wrote or co-wrote 240 of the approximately 15,000 songs in the catalog of Motown's Jobete Music . Berry Gordy was married and divorced three times. Tips to Prepare Your Air Conditioner for Summer, Signs You Need Air Conditioner Repair Service, Top AC Repair Companies in League City Texas. Rockwell was released from jail on December 1, 2018, on a $30,000 bail. Terry has kept his life away from the public eye, much unlike his father and several of his siblings. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. She was opportune to satiate her passion for music via homeschooling. Rockwell was not the first member of the Gordy family to hit Billboard's Hot 100 as a recording artist. Being born on 28 November 1929, Berry Gordy is 93 years old as of today's date 2nd March 2023. Her husband is an American bass guitarist, singer, and songwriter and the second vocalist after Michael. In 1990, he got married to Grace Eaton. They had one son together: Kerry Gordy (born 1959) Diana Ross with Berry Gordy and their daughter Rhonda. However, Berrys interest was in boxing. He has also received several other prestigious awards like the Grammy Trustees Award, the American Music Award of Merit, Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award, the BET honors Entrepreneur Award, etc. Berry Gordy Jr. was born and brought up in Detroit in Michigan; however, there is not much information about his parents. Net Worth in $4 Million Age 23 years Read More, How much is Jennifer Connelly's net worth? Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved producer. Berry Gordy Jr. used to be a below-average student academically. Biography and Early Life Diana is celebrating her 77 birthday in 2021. she was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on 26 March 1944. Daniels earlier had salutedGordy's production of "Lady Sings the Blues," the 1972 Billie Holiday biopicstarring Diana Ross, as inspiration for his career path. She was told Berry was her father at 13; she was none the wiser before then and assumed Silberstein was her dad. The duo's biggest hits include Shots with Lil Jon, Party Rock Anthem, and Sexy and I Know It. His grandfather, named Berry Gordy I, was the son of James Gordy, a white plantation owner in Georgia, and a woman he enslaved. Follow-up singles underperformed, with "Obscene Phone Caller" being Rockwell's only other Top 40 single. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. In the year 1988, Gordy sold his interest in his record label to MCA and Boston Ventures. Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com. She wrote two of the songs featured on Diana's 2021 Thank You album. Some of Berry Gordy's children have followed in their father's musical footsteps and have made a name for themselves in the entertainment industry. Rockwell's paternal half-sister is actress Rhonda Ross Kendrick, the eldest child of Diana Ross, the latter of whom is of no relation to Rockwell. He had a daughter named Rhonda Suzanne with Diana. The Motown founder is alive and well and remains a beacon in the music industry. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. they came to the foreground . Berry Gordy inaugurated the Miracles and signed acts like the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Stevie Wonder. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax. Millions want to know if Berry Gordy is still alive? Those who read the About page were given a believable account of the American producers passing: Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 93-year-old producer and musician was dead. Berry Gordy Jr found fame and fortune as a record executive, producer, songwriter, film producer and TV producer. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The pair had already welcomed a daughter named Kerry Gordy on June 25, 1959, before their . The marriage lasted till 1964. The American television personality Wally Amos' net worth Read More, Rush Limbaughs Net Worth 2023, Age, Death, YouTube, Wife, Kids, Anuel AA's Net Worth 2023: Age, Height, Girlfriend, Spouse, Biggie Smalls' Net Worth 2023: Age, Height, Death, Kids, Wife, Ari Shaffirs Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Spouse, Career, Wally Amos Net Worth in 2023 Bio, Age, Career, Spouse, Flocka Flames Net Worth 2023 Bio, Age, Height, Career, Income, Jenna Jamesons Net Worth 2023: Age, Height, Bio, Spouse, Jessica Simpsons Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Instagram, Sabrina Carpenters Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Boyfriend, Reddit, Jennifer Connellys Net Worth 2023: Age, Height, Husband, Kids. Gordy got married to Thelma Coleman in the year 1953, but the marriage lasted for six years, following which he got married to Ray Singleton in the year 1960; again, the wedding was short-lived, and they got divorced in 1964. Before they divorced, the pair had three children: Jay Jackson Jr., Autumn Joy Jackson, and Jaimy Jermaine Jackson. Here are some interesting facts about all his kids: His eldest daughter, Hazel, married the Jackson 5 singer, Jermaine Jackson, in 1973. READ ALSO: Who is Halsey? In 1984, he recorded his song, Somebody's Watching Me, with members of the Jackson 5 performing background vocals. In 2015, the singer competed in season 20 of Dancing with the Stars with Emma Slater. The artist sold his ownership in Motown to MCA Records for$61 millionwhich is$120 millionin todays money in 1988. One year later it was incorporated as the Motown Record Corporation, a blended nickname that comprised the words Detroit had come to be known for, motor and town. Published: 8:30, 18 May 2021; . Gordy's eldest son shares a name with him. Hed possessed the house since 1975. Though, he is 5 9 in feet and inches and 175 cm in Centimetres tall, he weighs about 176.4 lbs in Pound and 80kg in Kilograms. The couple have no children together. Gordy is known worldwide for establishing a very successful record-producing company called Motown Records, which has launched the career of several artists in Hollywood in the 60s and 70s. As of 2023, Berry Gordy has a net worth of $450 million. Berry Gordy reinvested the profits from his songwriting into producing. Being born on 28 November 1929, Berry Gordy is 93 years old as of todays date 4th March 2023. Houses Berry Gordy owns a 10,000 square feet house that features 13 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms at Bel Air. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Berry sold his Malibu mansion for $6 million to Michael Ovitz in 1997. Thankfully, Motown's founder is alive and well. For decades, he has been running the highest-earning African-American business in the world of music. As per our current Database, Berry Gordy is still alive. As of 2023, Berry Gordys net worth is estimated at $450 million. The Motown founder is alive and well and remains a beacon in the music industry. It is one of the most successful and the most profitable record-producing companies in the U. S. owned by someone from the Black Community. In 1953, he began his career by opening a record store named 3-D Record Mart. But, one thing is for sure, his career is not in the entertainment industry. As per our current Database, Berry Gordy is still alive. And he bantered with Motown's Mickey Stevenson, seated in the front row, recounting the time he loaned his car to the roguish A&R chief for a lunch trip only to have Stevenson and the vehicle disappear for two days. In 2016, Rhonda released her album, In Case You Didn't Know, and opened up for her mother on tour a year later. Later, the corporation generated $20 million in revenue in 1966 and became the most successful independent record company during the 1960s and 1970s. Ever since its inception, Motown turned out to be a profitable endeavor for Gordy. However, ut was the musical society in school he was always interested in. He is known for being the founder of Motown Records. He told familiar stories, like the life-changing moment as an 8-year-old when Detroit boxer Joe Louis defeated Germany's Max Schmeling. As a producer, he launched acts such as the Miracles, and signed artists like Diana Ross and The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips and Stevie Wonder. He was not great at academics from the get-go and had a flair for songwriting from the very beginning. He lived among eight siblings and was the 7th child of a middle-class family. ET. Gordy has produced several popular albums and songs in his company. Berry Gordy, also called Berry Gordy, Jr., (born November 28, 1929, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.), American businessman, founder of the Motown Record Corporation (1959), which became the most successful Black-owned music company in the United States. After returning from the Korean War, he married his first wife,Thelma Louise Coleman, in Toledo, Ohio, in 1953. Robert is the nephew of Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. and has lived in Las. Everything about Andie MacDowell's spouse, Adam Demos's height, age, girlfriend, children, movies and TV shows, profiles, worth, EU parliament chief urges Ukraine membership talks this year, UN chief condemns rich countries 'vicious' tactics against poor, Who is Kim Fields's dad Erv Hurd? Berry Gordy, right, onstage in 1981 with Smokey Robinson, one of the many singers discovered by Gordy. Mr. Gordy is a Black music executive who is worth hundreds of millions dollars more than the white Mr. Carter. Education Berry Gordy Jr. used to be a below-average student academically. An up-and-coming songwriter, Gordy founded the company that would become Motown in 1959, with support from his entrepreneurial family that included an $800 starter loan. The record label signed a plethora of sensational artists. He is known for being the founder of Motown record label. Gordy and former U.S. PresidentJimmy Cartershare the same great-grandfather, Georgian plantation ownerJames Gordy. The company helps famous artists with brand deals and royalty payouts. 2021 Kennedy Center honorees, from left, Justino Daz, Lorne Michaels, Joni Mitchell, Bette Midler, and Berry Gordy pose following the Medallion Ceremony for the 44th annual Kennedy Center . From 1965 to 1970, he was in a relationship with Motown artist Diana Ross. Previously, Berry Gordy married Thelma Coleman (first wife) in 1953.Gordy along with his first wife Coleman were parents of three children Hazel Joy Gordy (born August 24, 1954), Berry Gordy IV (born October 1955), and Terry James Gordy (born August 1956).Interestingly, he named his publishing company, Jobete after the name of his three eldest kids, Joy, Berry and Terry. He is most well known for his hit 1984 single "Somebody's Watching Me" which features Michael Jackson on the chorus vocals. Kennedy is a pop artist who performs under the name Rockwell. As of March 2023, Berry Gordys enormous net worth of $450 Million is mostly attributed to the success of Motown Records. Age, family, real name, height, ethnicity, profiles, net worth, Who is J something's wife: All you need to know about Cordelia Godi, Who is Heavy D Sparks? He had three children with his first wife, Thelma Coleman, whom he was married from 1953 to 1959: In 1960, he married Raynoma Mayberry Liles, and divorceed in 1964. Bo Jackson shoes & Sneakers "We got a call from Mr. Gordy saying 'Well, I hear you're spoiling my act [The Supremes]." Gladys replied,"Well Mr. Gordy, that's not what we'r about, you now. The Chairman has stepped down and likely taken his final bow in Detroit. He is the founder of Motown Records which has supported the career of superstars such as Stevie Wonder, The Temptations and The Jackson 5. News of producer Berry Gordys death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. Well, if youre all set, here is what we know about Berry Gordy to date. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is bestowing one of pop culture's highest honors on Berry Gordya former record executive with a . "For years, I dreamed about it, talked about it, threatened it," he said. His son has been very successful in the entertainment industry. In Centimetres 160 Daya Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Weight, Biography, Wiki and Career Details, Billy Slater Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Weight, Biography, Wiki and Career Details, Bill Nye Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Weight, Biography, Wiki and Career Details, Essence Atkins Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Weight, Biography, Wiki and Career Details, C.T. Berry Gordy went to a local high school but ended up dropping in the eleventh grade. "I was too busy to understand it, to appreciate it," he said. Fletcher Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Weight, Biography, Wiki and Grace Eaton (m. 19901993), Ray Singleton (m. 19601964), Thelma Coleman (m. 19531959), Redfoo, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, Rockwell, Hazel Gordy, Berry Gordy IV, Sherry Gordy, Kerry Gordy, Terry James Gordy, Record executive, record producer, songwriter, film producer, television producer. 24 October 1998 Lesley, the oldest sibling and only girl, was a part . It was titled, To Be Loved.. Is Berry Gordy secretly gay and hiding in the closet? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Fletcher Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Weight, Biography, Wiki and Career Details, Shri Thanedar Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Weight, Biography, Wiki and Career Details. The R&B artist died in 2016 after losing her battle with brain cancer. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major American network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a producer of Berry Gordy's stature would be major news across networks. Kerry is one of the most famous of Berry's children. Age, family, song, movies and tv shows, profiles, net worth. Hazel Gordy, also known as Hazel Gordy Jackson, is a despised media celebrity, former model, and is well known as the former wife of Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson's brother. Berry Gordy is the owner of Motown Records, a highly profitable and successful musical label that generates most of Gordys income. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. Well, Berry Gordy's age is 93 years old as of today's date 15th January 2023 having been born on 28 November 1929. By 1966, Motown had 450 employees and a revenue of$20 millionwhich is$144 millionin todays currencies. On January 7, 2019, the woman, who suffered multiple injuries from the attack and had undergone surgery to repair a broken arm, filed a lawsuit against Rockwell in Los Angeles for personal injury, claiming damages exceeding $25,000.[9]. Berry Gordy III (born November 28, 1929), known professionally as Berry Gordy Jr., is an American retired record executive, record producer, songwriter, film producer and television producer. In 1961, he signed Diana Ross and The Supremes to Motown. Millions want to know if Berry Gordy is still alive? Barry's parents Hugh and Barbara Gibb had five children. and last updated 11:35 AM, Jun 10, 2021 LAS VEGAS (KTNV) We are sad to report Robert Gordy Jr. has died. Reportedly, Berry Gordy has 8 children with his 6 different wives. After that, he married Raynoma Mayberry Liles in 1960. His father was Berry Gordy II and he hailed from a middle-class family. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe. Her older sister is American physician Barbara Ross-Lee. Gordy Jr. was born in the Motor City in 1929 and his beginnings are a classic Great Migration experience. That led Gordy to quit school altogether and pursue a career in boxing. Career After returning from his service to the U.S. Army, Berry Gordy took the first steps towards starting his music career. The couple called it ended things in 1984. Berry Gordy has a net worth of $400 million. The last Kennedy . Because her Dad owned the record label, it wasnt so difficult for her to go after her music career. In 1959, with an$800 loanfrom his family, Gordy launched Tamla Records, an R&B label. Berry IV is the father of Skylar Austen Gordy, better known by his stage name, Sky Blu. He is behind the career of developed artists through his record label Motown Records. READ ALSO: Who is Halsey? Hazel tried to bring back their relationship but gave up later and asked for a divorce in 1988. The music mogul was quite popular with the ladies in his heyday. Polygram purchased the entire Motown repertoire a few years later for$330 million. The producer sold his Malibu property to entertainment executive Michael Ovitz for$6 millionin 1997. Berry Gordy is one of the most influential music figures of all time, thanks to his hugely successful Motown empire.