Photo: Wikipedia
Usage: CC BY-SA 2.0Story by: Gail Nobles
Well, let's step back in time for a moment to December 26th, 1962. Detroit, Michigan, a city humming with the energy of the auto industry and a burgeoning music scene. And there, on page 16 of the Detroit Free Press, we find a fascinating glimpse of a local entrepreneur on the rise.
Ken Barnard, a staff writer for the Free Press, profiled a man who was quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with: Berry Gordy. Now, the headline, in those big, bold newspaper fonts of the era, proclaims him Detroit's "Record King." And the story tells us he "sold 'n' soft rock" – perhaps slightly clumsy, but undeniably enthusiastic way of describing the sounds that were emanating from his little studio on West Grand Boulevard.
What's so remarkable is that this wasn't just another local music story. This was a glimpse of something truly special, something that would reverberate around the world. It's easy to forget now, decades later, the sheer audacity of what Berry Gordy was doing. He was building a music empire, brick by brick, fueled by talent, determination, and a shrewd understanding of the power of music to transcend racial barriers.
And here's the best part: we *know* how this story ends, don't we? We know that "Berry," as the article calls him, wouldn't just remain a Detroit "Record King." He would become a global icon. Motown, the label he built, would become synonymous with a sound, a feeling, a generation. The music, as you said, is still with us, filling the airwaves with its infectious energy and timeless appeal.
Think about it: Ken Barnard, that Free Press staff writer, had no idea the magnitude of what he was witnessing. He was simply doing his job, covering a local story. But he was documenting the early days of a legend. And that, in itself, is a powerful reminder of the importance of journalism in capturing the moments that shape history, even when we don't realize it at the time. It's a wonderful little time capsule, this clipping from the Detroit Free Press, a reminder of the power of local talent, the enduring appeal of Motown, and the fascinating way newspapers can connect us to the past.
I’m Gail Nobles. Thank you for listening.
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