Music icon Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, celebrated his 95th birthday with friends and family at Spago Restaurant in Beverly Hills on Sunday, Nov. 24.
The record producer, songwriter, film and television producer is best known as the founder of the Motown record label in Detroit, Michigan. He later moved Motown Records to Los Angeles.
Gordy produced No. 1 hits for Diana Ross and The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye and more.
In attendance at his party were Stevie Wonder, Jesse Jackson, Tracee Elliss Ross, Smokey Robinson, Claudette Rogers Robinson (Smokey’s ex-wife), Debbie Allen, Benny Medina, Freda Payne, Hazel Joy Gordy (Berry’s daughter), and more!
Hazel Joy Gordy is Berry Gordy’s eldest child. She was a teenager when she married J5 heartthrob Jermaine Jackson in the 1970s. Berry named his Jobete music publishing company after his eldest children Joy, Berry Jr. and Terry.
Former Motown exec Suzanne de Passe (left), Diana Ross’s daughter Rhonda Ross Kendrick and Rhonda’s son, Raif (center) attend Berry Gordy’s 95th birthday celebration at the iconic Spago restaurant in Beverly Hills.
Suzanne de Passe is responsible for bringing Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 to Motown Records. But she graciously allowed Diana Ross to take all the credit for discovering the talented family.
Former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul Pelosi attended Berry Gordy’s 85th birthday party.
