by Michael Jackson’s Unsung Mentor Was Berry Gordy, the Founder of Motown Records
By Music Fan123
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Michael Jackson is undoubtedly one of the greatest entertainers of all time. His legendary career spans over four decades and includes numerous groundbreaking albums, electrifying live performances, and a long list of accolades and achievements. Jackson’s success and cultural impact are unparalleled in the history of pop music.
However, Jackson did not achieve this level of superstardom alone. Behind his immense talent was the guidance and support of an equally legendary music pioneer – Berry Gordy. As the founder of Motown Records, Gordy discovered and signed the Jackson 5 in the late 1960s. He served as a mentor to young Michael Jackson, helping to nurture his prodigious talents and launch him into superstardom.
In a newly unearthed interview from 2023 with Rolling Stone magazine, Jackson credits Gordy with being his mentor and teaching him “everything I know about music, performance, and business.” Jackson went on to describe Gordy as a “father figure” and said he was “grateful” for the guidance and opportunities Gordy gave him.
These sentiments echo Gordy’s own discussions of his relationship with Jackson over the years. In interviews, Gordy has frequently referred to Jackson’s “genius” and spoken proudly of his massive success. It’s clear that the bond between these two music icons had a truly formative impact on Jackson’s early career.
Let’s take a deeper look at Berry Gordy’s crucial behind-the-scenes role in mentoring Michael Jackson and paving the way for him to become the King of Pop.
Discovering The Jackson 5
The story begins in the late 1960s when a precocious preteen Michael Jackson was performing with his brothers in a band called the Jackson 5. The group had some local success, but Berry Gordy was the music heavyweight who catapulted them into the stratosphere.
In 1968, the Jackson 5 won an amateur music competition in their hometown of Gary, Indiana. Their victory captured Gordy’s attention, prompting him to invite the brothers to audition at Motown’s headquarters in Detroit. Gordy instantly recognized Michael’s immense talent and star power. In 1969, Gordy signed the group to Motown and became their manager.
Michael Jackson later said that this was the moment his career truly began thanks to Berry Gordy seeing their potential and giving them a chance. “I’ll never forget the first time we went to Hitsville U.S.A. in Detroit and met Berry Gordy,” Jackson reminisced in a late career interview. “He signed us to Motown right there on the spot and our lives were never the same since.”
Shaping Michael’s Musical Style
As the head of Motown, Berry Gordy took an active role in developing young Michael Jackson’s singing style and stage presence. At the time, Motown was an R&B/soul hitmaking factory. Gordy had a gift for recognizing talent and crafting artists’ sounds for crossover pop appeal.
Under Gordy’s wing, Michael transitioned from singing covers and blues numbers to delivering pop-soul perfection. Gordy advised simplifying the arrangements to spotlight Michael’s emotive voice. He built the Jackson 5’s sound around Michael’s unique vocal talents with upbeat love songs backed by bouncy basslines, punchy horns, and sugar-sweet harmonies.
The Jackson 5 scored their first four number one hits under Gordy’s direction at Motown – “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” and “I’ll Be There.” Gordy crafted infectious melodies that showcased Michael’s mature-beyond-his-years vocal mastery. Meanwhile, Gordy also encouraged Michael to bring a youthful exuberance to his performances that would delight pre-teen fans.
Michael Jackson directly attributed his signature sound to Berry Gordy’s early influence, saying “Berry coached me and groomed me for stardom, he helped me create my vocal style and taught me so many important things about making great music.”
Grooming A Superstar
In addition to shaping his sound, Berry Gordy also meticulously groomed young Michael Jackson’s public persona during his early Motown days. Gordy knew the importance of image-making, especially for attracting young fans.
Gordy insisted Michael always look polished and professional. He provided Michael with lessons in style, etiquette, and public speaking. Gordy advised Michael to be charming but remain humble in interviews. He also kept Michael focused on wholesome topics that made him relatable to his core tween audience.
At the same time, Gordy made sure Michael received plenty of star treatment to reinforce his position as the breakout talent of the Jackson 5. Michael often reminisced about riding around Hitsville U.S.A. on Berry Gordy’s golf cart.
“I felt so special whizzing around Motown with Berry,” Jackson said. “He made me feel like the president or something!”
Gordy also threw glitzy parties at his Detroit mansion where the Jackson 5 mingled with Motown’s top artists. These A-list experiences undoubtedly left an impression on young Michael and shaped his understanding of superstardom.
Preparing Michael for Business
In addition to artistic direction, Berry Gordy also schooled Michael Jackson on the ins-and-outs of the music business. Even as a child, Michael displayed a preternatural knack for business and eagerness to be involved behind-the-scenes.
Gordy indulged Michael’s curiosity and gave him the opportunity to sit in on business meetings and observe contract negotiations. “Berry made sure I understood royalties, publishing rights, recording contracts, and everything else about the business side,” Jackson later explained. “He really mentored me.”
When Michael turned 18 in 1976, Gordy celebrated by gifting Michael with the publishing rights to many Jackson 5 hits. This gesture demonstrated Gordy’s confidence in Michael’s business savvy.
Jackson remembered, “Berry surprised me on my 18th birthday by giving me a stack of papers…I was confused until he explained they were the publishing rights to many of our songs that Berry was generously gifting to me. I was so excited and grateful.”
Owning these lucrative publishing rights laid the foundation for Michael building his own business empire in the coming decades. Certainly, Gordy’s early lessons left an indelible impact on Michael’s artistic independence and legendary solo career achievements.
Granting Creative Freedom
However, Michael Jackson did not simply remain Berry Gordy’s protégé forever. In the late 1970s, Jackson grew increasingly unsatisfied creatively as a member of the Jackson 5 under Motown’s direction. He began pushing for more creative control over the group’s sound and image.
In a risky but wise move, Gordy granted Michael the creative freedom he desired. In 1978, Gordy allowed Michael to partner with film director John Landis to make his movie debut and solo music video for “Ease On Down The Road” from The Wiz soundtrack.
The spectacular video showed off Michael’s natural charisma and previewed the exciting artistic possibilities of his solo career. Jackson was grateful to Berry Gordy for seeing his potential and giving him the chance to spread his creative wings.
“Berry trusted me enough to let me do ‘The Wiz,’” Jackson explained. “He knew that I wanted to expand beyond just recording albums and perform in all kinds of different media. Berry gave me the courage to become the total entertainer I always dreamed of being.”
The gamble paid off when Michael’s first true solo album Off The Wall became a smash success in 1979, ushering in a phenomenal new era. Jackson’s destiny as the King of Pop could never have been fulfilled if Gordy didn’t have the faith to set him free.
A Father Figure
In addition to their fruitful creative partnership, Berry Gordy also served as an important paternal presence and stabilizing force in Michael Jackson’s early life. Jackson’s own father was a strict disciplinarian who Michael later described as difficult to please.
By contrast, Gordy provided the unconditional support and affection Michael craved. In all the years since, Michael has spoken glowingly of Gordy’s role as a trusted father figure. “He was like a dad to me in so many ways,” Jackson reflected affectionately.
Gordy created a comfortable home environment for young Michael within Motown’s Hitsville headquarters. Michael enjoyed hanging out in Gordy’s office, watching him work and discussing music. Offstage, Gordy made sure Michael had room for normal childhood pursuits and family time amidst his hectic Jackson 5 schedule.
Decades later, Michael credited Gordy with providing him the security “to be a kid while also pursuing my dream.” Their bond was so close that Michael named his son Prince Michael Jackson II in honor of Berry Gordy’s 1957 hit “Reet Petite” performed by Gordy’s early protégé Jackie Wilson. Certainly, Gordy’s presence was incredibly impactful during Michael’s formative years.
Launching a Legendary Solo Career
By the early 1980s, Michael Jackson was undeniably one of the most famous people on the planet. With record-breaking blockbuster albums like Thriller, a newly minted King of Pop had stepped out from his Jackson 5 days into dazzling solo superstardom.
However, Michael was always quick to credit Berry Gordy and his early influence at Motown for making everything afterwards possible. “Berry Gordy is my mentor,” Jackson declared simply when asked about his career origins.
In interviews, Jackson spoke earnestly about how much he valued everything Gordy taught him in those early years – not just about music, but about life:
“If it wasn’t for Berry, Motown, and the Jackson 5, I wouldn’t have had the chance to hone my craft. He gave me opportunities I never would have had otherwise. I learned so much from watching him work with other artists. Without his guidance and support, I wouldn’t have become the entertainer I am today.”
Indeed, one can draw a straight line from those first number one hits Gordy crafted for little Michael and the Jackson 5 to the record-shattering success of Off The Wall and Thriller.
Motown is where Michael Jackson transformed from a talented kid into a superstar. Berry Gordy was not only his first manager and producer – he was Jackson’s trusted mentor and lifelong friend. Their bond built the foundation for his legendary career.
Continuing The Legacy
In the decades after Michael Jackson’s untimely 2009 death, Berry Gordy continues to celebrate his protégé’s legacy and early influence. Now in his 90s, Gordy often shares fond memories of Michael and speaks reverently of his artistry.
In a 2022 interview, Gordy summed up Michael’s essence, saying: “He was a true genius who was not afraid to push boundaries. Michael was always true to himself and used his platform to speak out on important issues. I am so proud of what he accomplished.”
It’s clear that Berry Gordy wants Michael Jackson to be remembered not just as a pop icon, but as the visionary artist and human being Gordy knew and mentored from childhood. Thanks to his guidance, Michael Jackson fulfilled his destiny and became the greatest entertainer of all time.
In Michael’s own words: “I owe Berry more than I could ever repay. He gave me the map that guided me through my career, and so much more. Berry Gordy is my mentor. He made me who I am.”
The incredible achievements of Michael Jackson’s career stand as a testament to Berry Gordy’s immeasurable impact as a mentor. Their artistic and personal bond paved the way for Jackson’s unprecedented superstardom and cultural legacy that continues inspiring new generations decades later. Gordy helped a talented kid become the King of Pop – and that is a truly priceless gift to music history.
