But it is on its way back to being a strong, vibrant city. Talk about a "company man!"ĭetroit has suffered some major economic challenges, that's for sure. The Matadors became the Miracles, and William became "Smokey." Smokey Robinson eventually named his daughter Tamla and his son Berry. Motown's first vice president was a neighborhood boy who was also the lead singer for Tamla's first group signed to the label (aside from Wilson), the Matadors. Being that he could not legally use the name, he named his company "Tamla." But shortly it morphed into "Motown" joining "Motor City" and "Town" together. Gordy loved the song "Tammy" sung by Debbie Reynolds for the film of the same name, for which she starred. With an $800 loan from his family and the royalties from his work with Jackie Wilson, he purchased a single-family bungalow on Detroit's Grand Boulevard and named it "Hitsville U.S.A." Many of his family members joined the team, and on Jan. achieved his first major success by penning the Jackie Wilson smash "Lonely Teardrops." But after being grossly disappointed with the dollars he realized from the record company, Gordy decided to start his own label. To watch that machine grow and to be a part of it all was incredible." Some of us went to grade school together. We all lived around the corner from each other.
He had the vision, and we had the talent. "Berry was a brother, a father and a friend. "We would answer phones, sweep the floors, record a hit, then have lunch with the Temptations in the kitchen," she told me. She was never shy to share them every time she played her all-hits show at The Arcada.
My favorite ones involved the first days at Motown. An accomplished author, actress and artists-rights activist, she was filled with stories.
She was always kind and very generous to the fans.
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