- Title: USA: Berry Gordy the father of Motown reacts to the death of Michael Jackson
- Date: 27th June 2009
- Summary: VARIOUS PHOTOGRAPHS OF MICHAEL JACKSON
- Embargoed: 12th July 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Obituaries
- Reuters ID: LVA6DSQPU9VMNATXT3BUXDCYB47O
- Story Text: Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, told Reuters that he is in shock at the news of Michael Jackson's death.
"I am somewhat numb. I am shocked at the passing of Michael Jackson it's like a dream, a bad dream," said Gordy. "He was so much like a son to me, it's just hard to realize that Michael Jackson is not here."
At the urging of Gladys Knight, Berry Gordy signed the Jackson 5 to a contract in 1968. Two years later, when Michael was 12, the Jackson 5 had four No. 1 hits, including the Grammy-winning "ABC" (which won a Grammy Award as best pop song) "I Want You Back" and "I'll Be There." Under Gordy's intensive grooming, the Jackson 5 achieved an astounding degree of mass popularity among black and white audiences. Their concerts caused near-riots, with young Michael becoming an unlikely prepubescent sex symbol and a Saturday morning cartoon.
Gordy says Jackson's legacy will live on: "Michael Jackson doesn't just come along once in a century or a lifetime, he only comes along once, and so we had the benefit of enjoying him, we will enjoy him forever through his music." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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