Crate Diggers: Berry Gordy
Showing posts with label Berry Gordy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Berry Gordy. Show all posts

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder

“Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision” - Stevie Wonder
(Stevie Wonder)
Stevie Wonder was born as Stevland Judkins on May 13th, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan, USA. Judkins was born 6 weeks early and as a result his retinas were detached causing blindness. His mother changed his last name to morris. Morris began playing instruments at an early age. He formed a singing partnership with a friend; calling themselves Stevie and John. In 1961 Morris auditioned to a member of the Miracles and he brought him to Motown. Berry Gordy signed Morris to his Tamla label.
(Morris (Right) and Berry Gordy (Left))
Morris was then given the name “Little Stevie Wonder”. Due to his age the label drew up a rolling five-year contract in which royalties would be held in trust until Wonder was 21. Wonder was put in the care of producer and songwriter Clarence Paul. In 1962 Wonder released 2 albums “Tribute to Uncle Ray” and “The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie”.
(Wonder in 1962)
In Wonder then joined the “Motortown Revue” and toured with other Motown artists around the country wherever Black artists would be accepted. In 1963 Wonder’s single “Fingertips” hit No. 1 on the Billboard hot 100 chart. He then became the youngest artist to ever chart.
(Wonder performing “Fingertips”)
The single also hit No. 1 on the R&B charts. In 1964 Wonder appeared in 2 movies Muscle Beach Party (1964) and Bikini Beach (1964).
(Wonder in Bikini Beach (1964))
Also in 1964 Wonder began writing songs for himself and other artists. In 1968 Wonder released an album under the name “Eivets Rednow”, the album wasn't successful. Between 1968 and 1970 Wonder released several hits including "I Was Made to Love Her", "For Once in My Life", "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", "My Cherie Amour", and "Uptight”. In 1970 Wonder married Syreeta Wright.
(Wonder (Left) with Syreeta Wright (Right))
In 1972 Wonder signed a new contract with Motown and released “Music of my Mind” and “Talking Book”. From his “Talking Book” album Wonder had a No. 1 hit with “Superstition” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”. Wonder also toured with the Rolling Stones the same year. Wonder also won 3 Grammy awards in 1972.
(Wonder in 1972)
Wonder appeared on Sesame Street in 1973. Also in 1973 Wonder released “Innervisions” and the singles “Higher Ground” and “Living for the City” both reached No. 1 on the R&B charts. He also won 3 more Grammys that year. Wonder was injured in a car accident and was in a coma for 4 days.
(The aftermath of Wonder’s accident)
In 1974 Wonder released “Fulfillingness' First Finale” and the single “You Haven’t Done Nothin” featuring the Jackson 5 reached No. 1 on the Pop Charts.
(Wonder (Right) and Michael Jackson (Left))
He also won 3 Grammys that year. In 1975 Wonder performed at the historic "Wonder Dream Concert" in Kingston, Jamaica.
(Wonder (Left) and Bob Marley (Right))
In 1976 Wonder released the album “Songs in the Key of Life”. The album was No. 1 on the Billboard charts for 14 straight weeks. The singles “I Wish” and “Sir Duke” hit No. 1 on R&B charts. Wonder won another 3 Grammys that year. The album ranks 57th on Rolling Stone′s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
(Wonder in 1976)
In 1979 he released “Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants”. Wonder also wrote “Let’s Get Serious” for Jermaine Jackson.
(Wonder (Right) and Jermaine Jackson (Left))
In 1980 Wonder released “Hotter Than July” which became his 1st platinum album. Also in 1980 Wonder campaigned to have Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday to become a national holiday.
(Wonder at the campaign to make Dr. King’s birthday a holiday)
In 1982 Wonder released the single “Do I Do” featuring Dizzy Gillespie and featured on the song “Ebony and Ivory” with Paul McCartney.
(Wonder (Right) with Paul McCartney (Left))
In 1984 Wonder released the album “The Woman in Red” for the movie of the same name. The single “I Just Called to Say I Love You” reached No. 1 on the Pop and R&B charts. Wonder won an academy award for the song and accepted it in the name of Nelson Mandela and was Wonder’s songs were subsequently banned from all South African radio by the Government of South Africa. In 1985 Wonder released the album “In Square Circle”. The single “Part Time Lover” hit No. 1 on the Pop Charts. Wonder also featured on the song “I Feel for You”, a cover of Prince’s song of the same name, with Chaka Khan and Melle Mel. Wonder also appeared on the song “We Are the World”.
(Wonder in the “We Are the World” music video)
In 1987 Wonder was featured on Michael Jackson’s song “Just Good Friends”. Wonder also released the album “Characters” which Michael Jackson appeared on the single “Get It”.
(Wonder (Right) and Michael Jackson (Left))
In 1991 Wonder released the album “Jungle Fever” for the movie of the same name. In 1995 Wonder released the album “Conversation Peace”. In 1996 Wonder performed at the 1996 Summer Olympics closing ceremony. In 2005 Wonder released the album “A Time to Love”. In 2009 Wonder performed at the Obama Inaugural Celebration in 2009.
(Wonder (Left) and Barack Obama (Right))
Wonder also sang at Michael Jackson’s funeral.
(Wonder performing at Michael Jackson’s funeral)
In 2012 Wonder performed at Whitney Houston’s funeral. In 2014 Wonder started his “Songs in the Key of Life Tour”.
(Wonder in 2016)
Today he turns 67 years old and we would all like to say happy birthday Stevie Wonder.

Albums by Stevie Wonder
  • “The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie” (1962)
  • “Tribute to Uncle Ray” (1962)
  • “With a Song in My Heart” (1963)
  • “Stevie at the Beach” (1964)
  • “Up-Tight” (1966)
  • “Down to Earth” (1966)
  • “I Was Made to Love Her” (1967)
  • “Someday at Christmas” (1967)
  • “Eivets Rednow” (1968)
  • “For Once in My Life” (1968)
  • “My Cherie Amour” (1969)
  • “Signed, Sealed & Delivered” (1970)
  • “Where I'm Coming From” (1971)
  • “Music of My Mind” (1972)
  • “Talking Book” (1972)
  • “Innervisions” (1973)
  • “Fulfillingness' First Finale” (1974)
  • “Songs in the Key of Life” (1976)
  • “Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants"” (1979)
  • “Hotter than July” (1980)
  • “The Woman in Red” (1984)
  • “In Square Circle” (1985)
  • “Characters” (1987)
  • “Jungle Fever” (1991)
  • “Conversation Peace” (1995)
  • “A Time to Love” (2005)

Videos of Stevie Wonder
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Sunday, April 2, 2017

Happy Birthday Marvin Gaye

“War is not the answer, because only love can conquer hate” - Marvin Gaye
(Marvin Gaye)
Marvin Gaye was born as Marvin Gay Jr. on April 2nd, 1939 in Washington D.C., USA. At 4 years old Gay started to sing in church. His father was very hard on Gay and his siblings being beaten for minor things.
(Gay as a child)
While in high school Gay joined several Doo-Wop groups. In 1956 Gay dropped out of high school and joined the US Air Force. Gay was disappointed in having to perform menial tasks,so he faked mental illness and was discharged shortly afterwards. Returning to Washington D.C., Gay and good friend Reese Palmer formed the vocal quartet The Marquees. The group performed in the D.C. area and soon began working with Bo Diddley. The group signed to Okeh records. After the group was dropped from the label from failing to chart Gay began to compose music. Under a new leader the group changed its name to Harvey and the New Moonglows, and relocated to Chicago.
(Harvey and the Moonglows)
In 1959 Gay lead his first song called “Mama Loocie”. The group also sang backup vocals for Chuck Berry. In 1960 the group disbanded and Gay moved to Detroit, MI. Gay then was signed with Motown’s subsidiary label Tamla records and Gay added an “e” to the end of his last name to look more professional. Gaye originally had no intentions of singing R&B since he wanted to do Jazz. In 1961 Gaye released his 1st single “"Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide".
(Gaye in 1961)
Gaye spent most of 1961 playing drums for artists such as The Miracles and The Marvelettes. In 1962 Gaye found success as co-writer of the Marvelettes hit "Beechwood 4-5789”. His first solo hit, "Stubborn Kinda Fellow", was later released in September, reaching No. 8 on the R&B chart. In 1963 Gaye’s song “Pride and Joy” became his 1st top 10 single. Gaye performed as part of the Motown Revue in 1963. Gaye had two No. 1 R&B singles in 1965 with "I'll Be Doggone" and "Ain't That Peculiar", both songs sold millions of records. Gaye then made hits with Tammi Terrell, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Your Precious Love", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and You're All I Need to Get By".
(Gaye (Left) with Tammi Terrell (Right))
In 1967 Gaye was performing with Terrell and she collapsed while performing and later found out she had a tumor which ended her performing career. In 1968 Gaye's recording of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” became his first song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Gaye followed it up with "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" and "That's the Way Love Is", which reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. In 1969 his album “M.P.G.” became his first No. 1 R&B album. In 1970 Gaye began recording “What’s Going On” but Berry Gordy refused to release it due to his feelings of the song being "too political" for radio. Gaye responded by going on strike from recording until the label released the song. In 1971 the song was released and it reached No. 1 on the R&B charts within a month, staying there for five weeks and sold 2 million copies.
(Gaye in 1971)
He released the whole album later that month. The album became Gaye's first million-selling album. It was one of Motown’s first autonomous works. Gaye received two Grammy Award nominations and several NAACP Image Awards. In 1972 he released “Trouble Man”. In 1973, Gaye released “Let's Get It On”. Its title track became Gaye's second No. 1 single on the Hot 100 chart. Gaye’s final duet album was with Diana Ross and was called “Diana & Marvin”.
(Gaye (Right) with Diana Ross (Left))
Gaye toured from 1974 to 1975. In 1976 Gaye released “I Want You”, the title track became a No. 1 R&B hit. In 1977 his song “Got to Give it Up” hit No. 1 on the R&B charts. In 1978 Gaye released “Here, My Dear”, recorded as an intent for him to remit a portion of its royalties to his ex wife to receive alimony payments, it performed poorly on the charts. Gaye started to contract a cocaine addiction and he had troubles with the IRS. In 1980 Gaye went on a European tour and he feared to come back to the US due to unpaid taxes which was about $4.5 million. In 1981 Gaye left Motown due to several disputes of releasing music without Gaye’s consent. Gaye then moved to Belgium. Gaye recovered from his cocaine addiction while in Belgium. In 1982 Gaye signed with CBS records. In 1982 Gaye released his biggest hit song “Sexual Healing” spending a record ten weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Black Singles chart, becoming the biggest R&B hit of the 1980s according to Billboard stats.
(Gaye performing in 1982)
In the US the album “Midnight Love” sold 3 million records. In 1983 Gaye won his first two Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. On February 13, 1983, Gaye sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the NBA All-Star Game at The Forum in Inglewood, California.
(Gaye performing at the NBA All Star game in 1983)
At the end of Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” tour he went to live with his parents in Los Angeles, CA. On April 1st, 1984 in Los Angeles, California after a dispute with his father Gaye was shot and killed by him. He was 44 years old.
(Gaye’s funeral)
Today is his 78th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Marvin Gaye.

Albums by Marvin Gaye
  • “The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye” (1961)
  • “That Stubborn Kinda Fellow” (1963)
  • “When I'm Alone I Cry” (1964)
  • “Hello Broadway” (1964)
  • “How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You” (1965)
  • “A Tribute to the Great Nat "King" Cole” (1965)
  • “Moods of Marvin Gaye” (1966)
  • “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1968)
  • “M.P.G.” (1969)
  • “That's the Way Love Is” (1970)
  • “What's Going On” (1971)
  • “Trouble Man” (1972)
  • “Let's Get It On” (1973)
  • “I Want You” (1976)
  • “Here, My Dear” (1978)
  • “In Our Lifetime” (1981)
  • “Midnight Love” (1982)
Videos of Marvin Gaye

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Saturday, April 1, 2017

Anniversary of Marvin Gaye's Death

“War is not the answer, because only love can conquer hate” - Marvin Gaye
(Marvin Gaye)
Marvin Gaye was born as Marvin Gay Jr. on April 2nd, 1939 in Washington D.C., USA. At 4 years old Gay started to sing in church. His father was very hard on Gay and his siblings being beaten for minor things.
(Gay as a child)
While in high school Gay joined several Doo-Wop groups. In 1956 Gay dropped out of high school and joined the US Air Force. Gay was disappointed in having to perform menial tasks,so he faked mental illness and was discharged shortly afterwards. Returning to Washington D.C., Gay and good friend Reese Palmer formed the vocal quartet The Marquees. The group performed in the D.C. area and soon began working with Bo Diddley. The group signed to Okeh records. After the group was dropped from the label from failing to chart Gay began to compose music. Under a new leader the group changed its name to Harvey and the New Moonglows, and relocated to Chicago.
(Harvey and the Moonglows)
In 1959 Gay lead his first song called “Mama Loocie”. The group also sang backup vocals for Chuck Berry. In 1960 the group disbanded and Gay moved to Detroit, MI. Gay then was signed with Motown’s subsidiary label Tamla records and Gay added an “e” to the end of his last name to look more professional. Gaye originally had no intentions of singing R&B since he wanted to do Jazz. In 1961 Gaye released his 1st single “"Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide".
(Gaye in 1961)
Gaye spent most of 1961 playing drums for artists such as The Miracles and The Marvelettes. In 1962 Gaye found success as co-writer of the Marvelettes hit "Beechwood 4-5789”. His first solo hit, "Stubborn Kinda Fellow", was later released in September, reaching No. 8 on the R&B chart. In 1963 Gaye’s song “Pride and Joy” became his 1st top 10 single. Gaye performed as part of the Motown Revue in 1963. Gaye had two No. 1 R&B singles in 1965 with "I'll Be Doggone" and "Ain't That Peculiar", both songs sold millions of records. Gaye then made hits with Tammi Terrell, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Your Precious Love", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and You're All I Need to Get By".
(Gaye (Left) with Tammi Terrell (Right))
In 1967 Gaye was performing with Terrell and she collapsed while performing and later found out she had a tumor which ended her performing career. In 1968 Gaye's recording of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” became his first song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Gaye followed it up with "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" and "That's the Way Love Is", which reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. In 1969 his album “M.P.G.” became his first No. 1 R&B album. In 1970 Gaye began recording “What’s Going On” but Berry Gordy refused to release it due to his feelings of the song being "too political" for radio. Gaye responded by going on strike from recording until the label released the song. In 1971 the song was released and it reached No. 1 on the R&B charts within a month, staying there for five weeks and sold 2 million copies.
(Gaye in 1971)
He released the whole album later that month. The album became Gaye's first million-selling album. It was one of Motown’s first autonomous works. Gaye received two Grammy Award nominations and several NAACP Image Awards. In 1972 he released “Trouble Man”. In 1973, Gaye released “Let's Get It On”. Its title track became Gaye's second No. 1 single on the Hot 100 chart. Gaye’s final duet album was with Diana Ross and was called “Diana & Marvin”.
(Gaye (Right) with Diana Ross (Left))
Gaye toured from 1974 to 1975. In 1976 Gaye released “I Want You”, the title track became a No. 1 R&B hit. In 1977 his song “Got to Give it Up” hit No. 1 on the R&B charts. In 1978 Gaye released “Here, My Dear”, recorded as an intent for him to remit a portion of its royalties to his ex wife to receive alimony payments, it performed poorly on the charts. Gaye started to contract a cocaine addiction and he had troubles with the IRS. In 1980 Gaye went on a European tour and he feared to come back to the US due to unpaid taxes which was about $4.5 million. In 1981 Gaye left Motown due to several disputes of releasing music without Gaye’s consent. Gaye then moved to Belgium. Gaye recovered from his cocaine addiction while in Belgium. In 1982 Gaye signed with CBS records. In 1982 Gaye released his biggest hit song “Sexual Healing” spending a record ten weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Black Singles chart, becoming the biggest R&B hit of the 1980s according to Billboard stats.
(Gaye performing in 1982)
In the US the album “Midnight Love” sold 3 million records. In 1983 Gaye won his first two Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. On February 13, 1983, Gaye sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the NBA All-Star Game at The Forum in Inglewood, California.
(Gaye performing at the NBA All Star game in 1983)
At the end of Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” tour he went to live with his parents in Los Angeles, CA. On April 1st, 1984 in Los Angeles, California after a dispute with his father Gaye was shot and killed by him. He was 44 years old.
(Gaye’s funeral)
Today is the 33rd anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great musical artist today.
Albums by Marvin Gaye
  • “The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye” (1961)
  • “That Stubborn Kinda Fellow” (1963)
  • “When I'm Alone I Cry” (1964)
  • “Hello Broadway” (1964)
  • “How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You” (1965)
  • “A Tribute to the Great Nat "King" Cole” (1965)
  • “Moods of Marvin Gaye” (1966)
  • “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1968)
  • “M.P.G.” (1969)
  • “That's the Way Love Is” (1970)
  • “What's Going On” (1971)
  • “Trouble Man” (1972)
  • “Let's Get It On” (1973)
  • “I Want You” (1976)
  • “Here, My Dear” (1978)
  • “In Our Lifetime” (1981)
  • “Midnight Love” (1982)
Videos of Marvin Gaye

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