Anna Gordy Gaye is Berry Gordy’s older sister. Like her brother, she was in the record business. And perhaps because of him, we don’t hear too much about her. Let’s face it, her brother casts a long shadow. As did her husband. But more on that in a moment. We don’t pretend to understand family dynamics that aren’t our own. But, considering the very public evidence, it seems that without Anna, Motown might not exist. Anna started her own record label before her brother. Shortly before Berry launched Motown’s predecessor, Tamla Records, Anna founded Anna Records with her sister, Gwen Gordy, and songwriter, Billy Davis. This is where she met her future husband, Marvin Gaye. Yes, the 20 year-old musician was hired as a session musician by Anna Records before being signed to Motown. Like her brother, it seems Anna had a knack for spotting talent. Prior to Anna Records, she cut her teeth in the industry distributing records, first for Checker Records and, later, Gone records a fact that’s alluded to in the 2019 documentary, Hitsville: The Making of Motown. The documentary, narrated by Berry Gordy and his longtime friend and collaborator, Smokey Robinson, take viewers on a journey from Motown’s early beginnings to the company’s final move to Hollywood. Along the way, a host of characters are introduced, including Martha Reeves, Stevie Wonder and Paul Riser. Early on, after a scene where Berry Gordy describes his vision for the recording studio that would manifest as Hitsville USA, he drops a rather poignant sentence: “Eventually when I thought that it was right, and my sisters promised me they could get my songs to Jackie Wilson, I quit my job, and I was ready.” Having two older sisters with a foot in the record industry gave Berry the connections, and thus the confidence, to strike out on his own and the capitol. Both Anna and younger sister Gwen voted in the Ber-Berry Co-operative, the family loan system that granted Berry with the $800 startup capitol for his first label, Tamla Records. Despite this, Anna’s only mentioned twice in the movie. Once to state that both Berry’s sisters worked for Motown. The second mention of Anna comes after a Berry describes the beginnings of his “love affair” with Diana Ross..."When they say Motown was a family. They had no idea. Motown was really a family. Diane and I had a love affair. Marvin Gaye married my sister.” She’s not even mentioned by name. Nor is she mentioned during the five-minute section where Berry and Smokey talk about women in leadership positions at Motown. The most information we get is when Smokey shares that both Berry’s sisters worked for Motown...WTF?!... Did two otherwise seemingly capable directors just not find her interesting? Did they not read the Wikipedia entry? Did they not even bother to ask Berry about the sisters who he clearly stated helped him get him started and who continued working with him? Because my inquisitive mind is fascinated that Berry Gordy is so much up his own arse he completely disregarded his sisters important imput..Its always just been about him!..What a selfish guy! This isn’t a review of “Hitsville,” but the fact that Anna’s contributions to Motown aren’t just downplayed but completely ignored!. Form your own conclusions as you listen to this great collection!
AMM
The UK Soul Brothers 2024
Anna Gordy Gaye
Courtesy Of The UK Soul Brothers
The Tasters!
25 comments:
One of the great early Detroit labels, superb stuff!
Another worthwhile label comp. Thanks for review, P.
Thanks UK Soul Brothers for another top-notch Detroit label compilation
Cheers for this review, another great collection
He needed an ass-kicking. Then again, he was a boxer, so I won't be doing it.
This is a job for the UK Soul Brothers!
Thanks Bros for listing this great label
Great stuff mate... Thank you for the review
Thanks, AMM and UK Soul Brothers for this Compilations. Great stuff and a great review!
WOW! A 2fer! THANKS AMM for the share AND THANKS to the UK Soul Brothers for your hard work!
Cheers!
Bill(b3will@msn.com)
Excellent post UK Soul Brothers thanks a lot!
All I want for Christmas is more of such compilations! 👼
Thanks, UK Soul Brothers!
Another major label in the history of Detroit Soul.
I can only thank the UK Soul Brothers again.
Yves
many thanks to all involved a great collection for the guys!
Detroit nuff said UKSBs bring the goodies cheers AMM
A must-have for Motown/Detroit collectors
Excellent collection of Detroit soul... many thanks UK Soul Brothers & AMM.
BigD
Another super label compilation from the UK Soul Brothers. Thank you very much!
Thanks to both UK Soul Brothers and AMM, another great slice of Detroit music history.
Thanks to the The Soul Brothers for another great set nice cover nice review AMM and I like your view on Mr Gordy what a greedy man tying his staff in peanut contacts for his profit margin but did produced some great music with all that class of staff he had . Thanks AMM
Cheers Pedro
Sweet Thing! Thanks to all Brothers :) ☮️✌🏻
Yet another fine collection by the UK Soul Brothers.
seems like nothing can stop the UKSoulBrothers, thanks for another greatjob and review
Another excellent complimation from Detroit ... thank you
Many thanks to the brothers involved.
cheers,ELtel
Thank you Bros.
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