BERRY GORDY – 91

 

Berry Gordy is considered to be one of the juggernauts of the music industry. He is known as the founder of the legendary record label Motown Records. After working for years in production, he founded Motown in 1959 with an $800 loan from his family’s investments. The label became responsible for kickstarting the careers of countless legendary musicians. Among them include The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, and The Supremes.

Through Motown, Gordy became a driving force for popularizing music made by African Americans and provided massive opportunities for them when such opportunities were scarce. Despite Gordy selling the label in 1988, Motown’s legacy and influence have permeated every facet of the music industry worldwide. Today, Gordy has retired from the industry since 2019. He received countless awards for his massive contributions, including the National Medal of Arts from former U.S. President Barack Obama and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.