Robert Gordy
Robert Gordy | |
---|---|
Born | July 15, 1931 |
Died | October 21, 2022 (aged 91) |
Robert Louis Gordy (July 15, 1931 – October 21, 2022) was an American songwriter,
Early life
Gordy was born in Detroit, Michigan,[1] on July 15, 1931.[2] He was the youngest of eight children of Berry "Pops" Gordy Sr. and Bertha Fuller.[2][3] Gordy followed in the footsteps of his brother Berry and became a boxer. He later performed at local music venues like the Flame Show Bar, where he also managed the darkroom for his sister Gwen.[4]
Career
Gordy had a brief career as a recording artist and had a minor hit as Bob Kayli with the novelty song "Everyone Was There" (1958), co-written with his brother Berry and leased by him to the Carlton label.[3] The record reached number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1958 and he performed it on the Dick Clark TV Show.[5] However, the song's popularity declined precipitously when the public found out that he was African American.[3][6]
Gordy recorded a second single on Gordy's
From 1961,
Personal life
Gordy was married to Theresa until her death.[2] Together, they had four children.[1][2] One of them, Robert Jr., predeceased Gordy in June 2021.[10][11] One of Gordy's nephews was singer/rapper Redfoo.[12]
Gordy died on October 21, 2022, at his home in Marina del Rey, California. He was 91, and died of natural causes.[1][2][4]
Selected songwriting credits
Song | Co-writer(s) | Performer(s) | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|
"Everyone Was There" | Berry Gordy | Bob Kayli | [4][13] |
"Minnie the Ugly Duckling" | None | The Contours | [14] |
"The World Is Rated X" | Ezra Bolton, Mel Bolton, Marilyn McLeod | Marvin Gaye | [15] |
"You're What's Happening (in the World Today)" | George Gordy, Allen Story | Marvin Gaye | [16] |
"Your Kiss of Fire" | Harvey Fuqua | The Supremes
|
[17][18] |
References
- ^ a b c Mackay, Hannah (October 23, 2022). "Motown artist, songwriter, producer Robert Gordy dies at 91". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Fleming, Chandra (October 23, 2022). "Music exec Robert Louis Gordy, brother to Motown founder, dead at 91". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Hamilton, Andrew. "Bob Kayli – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- ^ a b c White, Adam (October 26, 2022). "Robert Gordy, Who Led Motown's Publishing Division During Prime Years, Dies at 91". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- ^ ISBN 0-89820-155-1.
- .
- ^ a b "Bob Kayli", SoulfulKindaMusic.net. Retrieved June 27, 2015
- ^ a b c Graham Betts, Motown Encyclopedia, AC Publishing, 2014
- ISSN 0006-4165. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- ^ Kean, Tricia (June 9, 2021). "Robert Gordy Jr., nephew of Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., has died, family says". KTNV. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ Miller, Shannon. "Nephew of Motown founder died in Las Vegas on June 3, family says". FOX5 Las Vegas. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ Yeung, Neil Z. "Redfoo – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- ^ "Everyone Was There by Bob Kayli – Track Info". AllMusic. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- ^ "Minnie the Ugly Duckling". United States: All Music Guide. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
- ^ "The World is Rated X". United States: All Music Guide. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
- ^ "You're What's Happening (In the World Today)". United States: All Music Guide. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
- ISBN 9781311441546.
- ISBN 9781440225574.
External links
- Allmusic
- Robert Gordy discography at Discogs
- Robert L. Gordy at IMDb