BERRY GORDY - The UNTOLD HIDDEN STORY | The UGLY SECRETS_REVEALED! | FULL DOCUMENTARY

A visionary, a talent developer, self-believer, a true leader, you name it. We could go on and on but Berry Gordy Jr., the charismatic Berry Gordy Jr. was everything you could think of. To many, he was a God-Sent man brought to save the people, the black people. In an era where it was common practice for white artists like Peggy Lee and Pat Boone to take songs from the black artists and make cover songs, Berry Gordy’s mission was to challenge the status quo by putting the black artists on the map, a move which looked and seemed impossible. But as someone who was always a risk-taker and calculative in his moves, he managed to break barriers and did the unthinkable, creating something that turned out to be legendary, the birth, of Motown Records, a label that gave a platform to the less fortunate, those who had nothing but big dreams and God-given gifts.
#berrygordy #motownrecords #hiddentruth #soulmusic
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[@josephbostick1966]

Fortunately Queen Aretha was paid very well during the 60s because she learned from her family and real agents about promoters who would run off with the artist salary ,this is why Queen Aretha always carried her bag,purse on stage ,she was paid full cash in advance or no show .a lot of Motown Artist got short changed because of lack of education about the business ,Queen Aretha learned at 14 when her first LP came out as a teen .

[@mongoslade277]

Notice Rev CL Franklin didn't let her sign with Motown. Aretha Franklin is from Detroit but sang outta Memphis & Muscle Shoals. Atlantic Records took care of her

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

Aretha Franklin never sung on Motown Records

[@antoinetterobinson7609]

Every record label back then paid their artist poorly. Even today the record industry pay their artist badly or don't pay with money at all.

[@alanabruno]

No they didn’t… do not try to defend Berry Gordy business practices. He cheated many people who helped to make Motown the successful label it was out of their royalties and earnings. Sold off the rights for groups such as the Marvelettes and the Miracles to settle gambling scores. Nothing about what Berry did even remotely comes close to what others were doing.

[@davidbrunson3219]

there's no excuse for Berry. The guys a D**k!

[@whatsup-cl6tp]

Like being a slave all over again.

[@mongoslade277]

Berry Gordy was worse. Not only did he not pay his artists he put their money in an "escrow account" for their benefit. You know they Never got that money. He stole songs from his own artists. Put his name on songs he didn't write. The musicians union came down on him bc he paid The Funk Brothers well below the union rates. HE'S A CROOK

[@oliviajohnjohnolivia8142]

The idiot rap so called music artist makes millions within 5 years.

[@marvinwhittaker]

An $800 loan turned into a million dollar success. Marvin Gaye and Jr. Walker are my favorite Motown Artists.

[@user-jn4vk3ri1w]

Imagine the legendary musicians known as The Funk Brother's who actually played on every hit that Motown produced although sadly most of them have died without even getting a penny or given any real placed recognition 4 anything other than a DVD that was thrown together back in 2002 about the Band & their rising fame over the year's (what fame)? Titled Standing in the Shadow's of Motown with the help of so many other's primarily telling their story of how they played on so many & more #1 hits put all together than The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, even the one & only Elvis Presley combined because if BG hadn't found these very talented guys to form this very special group he called his Hit Machine to play behind every Legendary Motown artist & song we've heard there probably never would've been a Motown in the first place yet, everything was what BG built & with it took all the credit & the glory, how so sad but ever so true!

[@johnkrieger185]

No matter how justified the criticisms of Gordy are, the fact remains that virtually NONE of the talents at Motown would have made it in the music business without him.

[@DeepCover757]

So that makes it right?

[@kat_a_bru]

Very well said. The reality is that Berry Gordy’s bad behavior has been well documented. I love that you recognized that making some terrible decisions that hurt people and being a genius and a visionary who also contributed so much to the world, those things are not mutually exclusive.

[@gaddyify]

But he destroyed a lot of lives also in the process, most died penny less.

[@queenviviene4110]

He was a very diabolical individual .

[@mongoslade277]

He's a crook.

[@denisedillinger1354]

They didn’t even let Flo keep her house she passed away penniless. not even able to say she was a supreme. Her last recordings are heartbreaking. Always remember berry Gordy told Flo she was too soulful to sing lead. Imagine being to soulful for Motown records. Rip Flo you were the voice ❤ he didn’t create legends god created them berry showcased them period.

[@IamTaliaIsrael]

💯👊 him and his side piece treated Florence like sh*t

[@marysnelling5105]

He was smashing Diana Ross who wanted the lead so he came up with that flimsy lie.

[@denisedillinger1354]

@@marysnelling5105 alll facts , I usually get people commenting I’m lying so it’s refreshing to hear some truth. I think he wanted flo also but she wasn’t willing to be controlled or play the game

[@thankthelord4536]

Flo was penniless, and you would think with all those millions he could save her house and write it off.

[@keithcampbell6806]

The world knows at this time because of internet etc that Berry was a beast. He had his eyes on Flo but becausehe he didn't get her he and his concubine Dianne decided to destroy her. He was a villian not a hero.

[@emmanuelferguson5604]

His dad had a big head 😂😂

[@gregmoss-ks3fo]

Stop.bother😮

[@henrycruz4966]

His pops head 😂😂😂

[@DitalianCole]

I'm sorry, but there is NO WAY a groundbreaking, highly successful record company like MOTOWN should have been sold or a measely 65 million dollars!!! Yeah, that's a lot of money, but we're talking MOTOWN here! To me, instead Mr. Gordy getting 65 millin dollars, he should have gotten at least SIX HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS!!! Really, a billion! That purchase always makes me shake my head when I think about it!

[@royshuler7046]

Agreed. If I’m not mistaken, the buyer turned around and sold it for upwards of $300 million a few years later 🤔.

[@handsome-brute2666]

Never should have been sold at All to those white devils 😈🤔

[@thankthelord4536]

You must remember it was 1988. That WAS alot of $ back then.

[@mongoslade277]

That slimy snake shouldn't have got 💩. That 65 million in 1988 is about 200 million today

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

Universal -MCA Records owns Motown Records now

[@saundrabrown-um1xs]

Sounds like Berry Gordy sacrificed a lot of his artists.

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

He did

[@henrycruz4966]

He was the p diddy of Motown

[@MichaelSpikes-pv6kl]

Excellent video

[@SEA-dx1sv]

Hope you cover all the other record companies that rip off the artists. Funny how Berry is often mentioned.

[@SuperBeachbum74]

They already have

[@rayvincente]

Could have listened to over an hour about this pioneer! His accomplishments, especially during the time he made them, are astonishing! I'm sure he was a tough business man and, like most, looked out for the business over the individuals. That is the business world in which he had to navigate as well. His achievements for himself, his family, his artists, and the music industry, however, remain undaunted! Can't imagine the music landscape without Motown; music I still listen to today!

[@AndriaaLeoLove]

Yes, he did not dwell on racism.

[@charlesfleetwood8585]

You know some people try to find a way to down black people when their racist is worse because they kill their family members i meant to say 🙄

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

Capitol , Sony/Columbia,Time-Warner, Atlantic /Atco /Arista & Universal -MCA Records which owns Motown Records are way superior Record companies.

[@damonwashington]

It seems like Gordy, Quincy, Diddy learned fun the same school of artist slavery

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

Most definitely

[@realmontana6838]

And seccual perversion allegedly

[@warsofparadigm]

You called it!!

[@Reeree50plus]

There was another fella by the name of Barry Hankerson.. Gladys Knight’s ex husband. Google him 👀

[@alexandradillard2077]

You left out Suge Knight.

[@krazyone217]

I truly enjoy your content I grew up w most of these individuals my Mom playing her music on our record player keep up the awesome job Ms Arleen

[@pauladouglas9891]

His father looked like Colonel Sanders.

[@sonyarowe1906]

Berry took advantage of the Debarges, took everything from them.

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

Absolutely correct

[@gaddyify]

He was an evil man too. Especially what he did to Florence of the Supremes

[@kellyjones4335]

Yes

[@edwinjones1000]

In addition, when Berry Gordy couldn't get into Brenda Holloways pants, he refused to promote her records. She suffered until her contract was expired.

[@mongoslade277]

​@@edwinjones1000Teena Marie put an end to that. She beat Berry Gordy in court. They call it The Brockert Initiative

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

​@mongoslad Gladys Knight' and the Pips also won their lawsuit against Berry Gordy and Motown Records in 1974

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

Aretha Franklin, Freda Payne never sung on the Motown Record label

[@LamarJennings-eo8ps]

Berry wasn't very nice to flo nor was Diana Ross

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

Diana Ross was Berry Gordy Jr 's personal mattress

[@user-jn4vk3ri1w]

This is not true a whole lot of the Talents from Motown no doubt I believe would've made it without Berry Gordy.....FACTS!!!

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

That's a fact

[@MrBruceWayne44]

His father was a decendant of the Carter family. Berry and Ex President James Carter are cousins

[@hiphopmovieprime7800]

WoW never knew that

[@freddy8479]

​@@hiphopmovieprime7800 There's THE GORDY FAMILY TREE on KZbin!!

[@robertbrown2395]

That's not true at all

[@taupenoire1933]

​@@hiphopmovieprime7800He and James Carter have the same great-grandfather

[@AlcheMissMelody555]

​@@robertbrown2395 Googled it.. checks out ... 2nd half cousins

[@kevinalford272]

He sold Motown for 61 million dollars and the people who bought it sold it for 300 million. Not the best business move.

[@reikwestphilly1599]

It was the 80s thats at least worth 120 million now so it was a good deal

[@kevinalford272]

@@reikwestphilly1599 Barry Gordy sold Motown for 61 million to MCA in 1988. MCA sold it 5 years later in 1993 for 300 million. A terrible business move by Gordy.

[@reikwestphilly1599]

@@kevinalford272 yeah you right about that bro I ain't know that's how fast it was sold for way much more damn

[@deloresboudreaux2755]

Motown was the best thing that happened to the World !!!!!

[@mysticakhenaton1701]

I SEE you don't know the real history of that company...MOST of those Motown artists died BROKE. that company screwed Tina Marie so bad/ripped her off. the California legislators passed a law in her name/back in the 80's. called the Tina Marie law... go listen to what El Debarge said, what they did to him, after Berry Gordy sold Motown back in 1988. CUT OFF his royalty checks. El Debarge couldn't pay his bills. later causing the drug use. they cut off Rick James royalties too. when he left Motown for warner bros. go listen to the stories of Motown's house band, the funk brothers. they tried to ruin the J.5 too. after they left Motown for Epic/thank God for daddy Joe Jackson. joe wasn't having it. Joe got his boys out of Motown at the right time back in 1975...SAVING THEY CAREERS.

[@bollockchop501]

Invented for a white audience,put some strings on it a bit of sugar ,sweeten it up for the white folks,he admitted it himself.

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

Not really

[@GenevaParker-te7pr]

Berry's Mission was accomplished! Thank You, Berry❤❤❤

[@anthonypatterson6619]

Beautifully done!

[@back_to_the_60s]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@keithcampbell6806]

Good morning bro the video is not balanced no mention is made of the treatment of Miss Halloway and Flo Ballard . These women did not allow him to get between their legs so he did his best to destroy them . He was a savvy beast.

[@anthonypatterson6619]

@@keithcampbell6806 Good point.

[@jerryblair4106]

Barry Gordon a genius of Motowns legends. What Ever The Mind of a man can believe and Conceive He can Achieve!!

[@johnkrieger185]

Berry Gordy.

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

Cheating people out of their copy rights is wrong. Berry Gordy Jr is Human waste

[@lebronshairline4768]

Inspirational story. I wonder how his sister felt after he blew up after not lending him all the money?

[@AlkalineInsides]

It’s unfortunate you can’t get to the top being nice all the time. You’re gonna end up hurting someone along the way

[@davidcrosby2672]

Berry Gordy was a businessman, not a humanitarian, not a civil rights activist, or anything of the sort, and like most business people he was willing to exploit the people who worked for him. Weather this was good or bad is not for me to decide, he provided a decent life for his people while lining his own pockets to the impf degree the bottom line was all that mattered.

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

False Berry Gordy Jr wasn't a human itarian

[@aintnothingliketheoldskool]

Yeah but he hurted most of his Motown artist didn't nobody say he was a civil rights activist. He pushed a lot of good talent aside because he was only focused on Diana and they were both grimey.

[@billiesimmons4457]

Very interesting story , I never knew he was a boxer

[@zaymoney252]

The fact that he’s still alive in 2024 is incredible he’s a walking living breathing Library.. Crazy to think he born the same year as Dr King it also reminds you the Jim Crow era wasn’t actually that long ago

[@1calvin]

I live in Detroit and you left out so much more, good and bad

[@duanemarshall7612]

In reality up and coming musicians use friends &relatives to pursue their dreams while not holding a job's,living somewhere for free &when they finally get there the music industry gets them with them bogus contracts. The music industry and Hollywood is not always what folks perceive it to be.

[@gregmoss-ks3fo]

Thank our father for Gordy he broke a lot music barriers, which we come from the tribe of Judah, which we were praiser,dancer, singers, recognize

[@alanabruno]

Breaking musical barriers doesn’t take away from the disgusting business practices and leaving the same individuals who helped break through those same barriers high and dry with not a pot to piss in or window to throw it out of.

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

Memphis Tennessee had Stax Records, Chicago, IL had Cadillac &Chess Records.Before Motown came into existence

[@reikwestphilly1599]

​@@user-dy5mr1xf7band none broke barriers like gordy they all were successful tho

[@gregmoss-ks3fo]

Who said that his father head can be used as a weapon,it was because he had berry Gordy though his wife, good weapon, because berry change the world though music,I thank him for using his head

[@sophiawilson8696]

Sold Out Detroit for Los Angeles! Bad

[@michaelpeterson1928]

Yes , Mr. Berry Gordy was incredible to Music and The times when America`s Black People stood up and God Applaud to our mission, to be treated as Human beings. Then Came Martin Luther King. "Now" heaven Angels cried to thy Lord Protect your children and watch them Grow. This where I begin a new life, a new journey to discover who I am.

[@Lakeshore14]

No question that Berry Gordy was a hugely successful entrepreneur. However, as business savvy as he was, it was the talented singers, songwriters, arrangers, producers and most importantly the musicians who really made Motown. Sadly, with a few exceptions, most of the creative people never realized the financial rewards that should have come their way. In the documentary Standing In The Shadows of Motown, it was heartbreaking to find out that Motown left Detroit for Los Angeles without any notification to the musicians. The very people who created the Motown sound were left behind. That’s also the legacy of Berry Gordy. 😢😢

[@Mary-cq1jc]

why. Dident barry gordie. All the money he has help tevin. Cambell. Tevin. Cambell was his. God. Son. Yaw ant know that. Yes. Tevin cambell. Is barry s. God son. Quincy. Jones. Barry gordie to old rich men use tevin but dont help him i wonder what those three used to do and where they went there suppose to befamily why not help tevin something funny bout all of that it will come out onefay. Poor tevin. Gordie. He ant even help that girl in the sapremes. But again tevin. Is family why not help him hes scared to open his mouth probly. If tevin cambel. Had a concert. With his voice and with all the love we all havefor him he could make millions. On just one concert singing his songs. Love you tevin. Cambell

[@061romell]

5:37 that cant be barry with the beetles, who is the young child being zoomed in on?

[@fannycraddock99]

You mean Berry with the Beatles! No it can't be but there's something odd about it!

[@michaelmitchell5098]

Don’t know who it is but it looks like a Gordy. Can’t be Berry with the Beatles in the background.

[@SuperBeachbum74]

Just an excuse to promote the Beatles who would be nothing if the Temptations were white

[@moorebounce]

Berry Gordy must have paid for this puff piece.

[@williamg2552]

….And they left THE MIRACLES OUT….as USUAL. WERE it not for THE MIRACLES, there would’ve NEVER BEEN a “MOTOWN” in the FIRST PLACE. Those were BERRY GORDY’S words…NOT MINE !!

[@mongoslade277]

This documentary said that Mary Wells was that label 2nd star. It said that Marv Johnson cut the 1st single and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles had the 1st hit

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

The Marvelettes gave Motown Records their 1st recognition . With the song Please Mr. Postman

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

​@@mongoslade277 Barrett Strong had the 1st song on Motown Records " Money(That's what I want)

[@mongoslade277]

@@user-dy5mr1xf7b Yes that's true. On the Motown label which of course was the main label. Remember they had those little subsidiary labels like Tamla & Harvey Records & Anna Records. Marv Johnson cut Come To Me on Tamla. That was the 1st single ever released by Berry Gordy

[@user-bp6lo9xv7f]

Happy belated Valentine's Day ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lisettegarvin5030]

President Jimmy Carter is related to Barry Gordy through his mother the late Lillian Carter.

[@thankthelord4536]

The Jacksons/ J5 are cousins to Stevie Wonder.

[@oliviajohnjohnolivia8142]

Was Lillian the slave master.

[@gregoryfrancis3899]

Berry Boule down to his Bootstraps. A WMC front.

[@michaelpeterson1928]

As human being we all have alittle bit of jealousy as to competition..

[@ceeceetracey9839]

The young lady in front of Berry in the picture at 5:00, do we know if thats his sister Gwen or is it Loucye??

[@GenevaParker-te7pr]

I loved Motown. Want to thank Smokey, Richard, Smokey's Friend, Jeffrey Bowman, for the audition they let me do. The group of musicians were awesome. Liked my songs and vocals. We have fun with the music. Jeffery said come back after l finished school. Great musicians at Hitsville USA. I love, ❤❤❤❤❤ What they did with pure Talent. Thank You, Smokey😂 He sent me, as a young talent. GP Come to Hitsville, USA.

[@back_to_the_60s]

Wow!❤️ What an honor to not only visiting the famous Motown Studio, but also getting a chance to audition!❤️❤️

[@GenevaParker-te7pr]

I am living Hitsville USA always. That time is still Magic. I smile and sing along. I call it Happy Music with loads of 💕. All the talent will be remembered for sharing & caring.

[@GenevaParker-te7pr]

Thanks For The Invite😊. Hearing the music, alone. I'm in heaven. Blessings! 😇

[@kahlimgia5662]

Lookahere... of course he did things on purpose-folks would not have left for the reasons they stated had he not done things "his" way.. on top of the fact that any person who paid as much attention to detail as BG did has COMPLETE control of the company (u mentioned his upbringing & what he was taught). His sister was running it so of course the closeness they have/had and were taught meant he knew EVERRRYY SINGLE THING right down to the last penny.

[@roncooke8723]

His main vehicle to success was the close nit family and the discipline. This is what's missing in today's families and is the root cause of most of some hating successful people. Now we have people that don't want police to police them, yet they don't police themselves or their children and the results are seen every day on the news.

[@FatpimpTsu]

Who ever reads this please give this man a movie!!!! Imagine his story on the big sceeen

[@marchill-uh3zh]

Berry Gordy was the first P. Diddy, Master P, Eazy E, and Birdman.

[@thatomokhahlane8903]

Genius of All Time... He is Music Business🙌🙌💗

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

Berry Gordy is Human waste

[@andrebriscoe2272]

The record company always wins ☹️

[@iriswood3744]

Berry Gordy is a Visionary History has shown how Important MOTOWN IS Motown has withstood the Test Time

[@user-dy5mr1xf7b]

Berry Gordy screwed over a lot of artists on Motown Records

[@iriswood3744]

@user-dy5mr1xf7b a lot of Artist Blew their$$$

[@alicewilliamsgranberry6459]

He dad look like he had lots of white blood thats most likely where his money came from But I beleive he loved his family and was a hard worker Pops Gourdy Anywho one drop of black blood You are black which is a beautiful thing Barry was alright I guess I wasnt tgere I dont know what or what he didnt do I know his favorite was Dianna Ross ❤He didnt leave his wife though Barry is well in his 90tys he must have taken good care of himself Cudos Barry PEACE N BLESSINGS

[@mactherealestateman]

Berry ll came from Georgia, and earned his money the hard way, and taught his kids to be entrepreneurs.

[@JoeDavis-lz9st]

Wrong! Barry Gordy as well as every artist on the motown label had ordinary jobs before Motown blew up Barry worked for the automobile industry as well as some of the temptation and smokey Robinson they all d when Detroit was also known as the motor city hell we all did at some point in our lives

[@nicolebutler2860]

@alice, You must believe in White Supremacy.

[@monilaninetynine3811]

Berry Gordy (the Motown founder, not his father) has had a few wives. His father only had one that I know of, Berry's mom.

[@MsTMac313]

The beginning of the video states that Barry's grandfather was a slave master and his grandmother was one of his slaves (whom he raped, I presume). Hence, his dad was half-white, half-black.

[@freddy8479]

As much as we can COLLECTIVELY APPLAUD "THE GORDY FAMILY" FOR THEIR ENTREPRENEURIALISM.... Many of us, particularly when we heard stories about BG'S NEFARIOUS ACTIVITIES that was DETRIMENTAL to many of Motown's artists SHOULD BE CONDEMNED.

[@alanabruno]

Exactly! I don’t find nothing spectacular about a black man stealing and selling his own people’s talent down the river. I don’t have respect for a man who took young, poor black teens, exploited them for their talents and then when they were no longer profitable, he put them on a shelf never to pick them back up.

[@freddy8479]

@@alanabruno But of his course, you WILL hear his APOLOGIST AND RUNNING BUDDY, Smokey Robinson HAVING HIS BACK!!!

[@erroldaley1061]

Great is that man history will remember him forever

[@aintnoway3467]

The Greatest decision ever made was Rev CL Franklin decided that Motown was not the place for his daughter. I wished many of those artists parents thought the same. Plus I am pretty confident Rev Franklin traveled in the same circles at Barry Gordy so he knew how he moved. Barry Gordy may have been a record mogul to some . In my opinion he was a overated talent scout. He had an ear for music but business absolutely not! Stealing from his top acts just to cover his up and coming favorites.

[@TonyaPearson-hu8pg]

Is the narrator Peter Lawford? Sounds just like him....

[@pamsimth8018]

Damn his daddy head can be use as a weapon 😳

[@janbriggs7619]

BLESS. MR..VERY. GIRDY. ME MICKIE MOUSE. PINOCCHIO. MIGUEL. JACKSION. APHRODITE. BLESS. AMERICA. 2. DARE. SALON ?????

[@janbriggs7619]

TRANSLATEED. UOY. JCYF.