Music Executive Robert Louis Gordy
Photo courtesy of Facebook
Renowned recording artist, songwriter and music executive Robert Louis Gordy Sr., also the youngest brother of Motown founder Berry Gordy, died on Friday, October 21 from natural causes at his California home, Universal Music Enterprises confirmed, the Detroit Free Press reported.
The Detroit native died suddenly, Berry Gordy said in a statement in the news release.
“He was absolutely the best lil’ brother anyone could ever hope for,” he said in the article. “His ability to succeed at whatever he attempted or that I threw his way, amazed me over the years. I will miss his love, his support, and his loyalty.”
Robert Gordy Sr. born July 15, 1931, and was the youngest of eight children to Berry Gordy Sr. and Bertha Gordy, according to the article.
He began his music career under the pseudonym Bob Kayli, and released a song in 1958 called “Everyone Was There,” co-written with Berry Gordy.
He contributed to various hits while at Motown, landed his first acting role as a drug pusher for the movie “Lady Sings The Blues” in 1972, and eventually took over Jobete Music Publishing, the release stated.
Despite not having a lot of experience in the publishing field, with the confidence and support of his brother Berry, he successfully ran the company for more than 20 years and moved it from being a holder of song copyrights into a profitable international publishing company, the release stated,
His eldest son Robert Jr. and his wife Theresa preceded him in death. He is survived by family friends and relatives including his children Roxanna Wright, Rodney Gordy, and Fuller Gordy, and his brother Berry.
Funeral plans were not readily available. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Motown Museum, the release stated.
Read the full story here.
About Post Author
