Smokey Robinson and Barry Gordy, 1981I’ll briefly note here the passing of Motown Records founder, Barry Gordy, and make four points about creativity along the way.

I never met him, but I certainly experienced, and continue to experience, the results of his prolific creativity. In his amazing career he created songs, records, stars, companies, good will, and films. First lesson in creativity from Barry Gordy: Create a lot and keep creating a lot.

Perhaps his greatest creative skill was simply finding and developing talent. He had a hand in the careers of Jackie Wilson, Mary Wells, The Jackson 5 (and Michael Jackson), Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, and many others. Second lesson in creativity from Barry Gordy: Help others fulfill their creative dreams, and maybe you’ll fulfill your own in the process. 

Gordy was also a secret innovator socially, probably not intentionally, but as a by product of

This label is synonymous with Fun.

seeking a broader audience. A whole generation of Americans, and Brits as well, grew up listing to all that sweet soul music. It was incredible stuff, original, fun, finger poppin, hip-swivelin, swinging Rhythm and Blues from the Motor City, Detroit. Gordy’s intent was to sell music to everyone and he transformed what was once called “race” music. He made it more acceptable by making sure lyrics could be understood and by making subject matter upbeat. Musical arrangements were also more sophisticated than earlier blues recordings. He certainly found the sweet spot in translating the black idiom. Because of this, many in the boomer generation found their first links of kinship with the black community — it wasn’t black music, it was “our” music. If you wanted to have some fun back in the 60’s and 70’s it was pretty much a sure thing a stack of Motown 45’s would get the party started. It was an important, and under-rated step, towards racial integration and the realization of civil rights. Gordy, in a very real sense, introduced black America to white America, with good pop music as the handshake. Third lesson in creativity from Barry Gordy: Make art, and, make it accessible.

You might also take the lesson of being “the translator” — that is adapting creativity for new markets.

I suspect Gordy was also an inspiration to many in the black community. Gordy wasn’t just an

artist, he was a courageous entrepreneur, a brilliant businessman, and a true innovator. Like Steve Jobs, he had a reputation as a taskmaster. He not only recorded artists, he trained them in finishing schools. His quality control included weekly product evaluations modeled after Detroit’s auto-making plants. And yet, “Hitsville” had a legendarily creative atmosphere — experimentation was encouraged, and yes, they had a bit of fun didn’t they? Fourth lesson in creativity from Barry Gordy: Part of making quality products is the fun you have making them.

Long live that Motown sound, and thank you Barry Gordy.

*****

PS: The holidays are upon us, consider gifting Jack’s Notebook, a business novel about creative problem solving, available on Amazon (yes, Kindle ready). It’s a great book to inspire creative action.

If you’re a reviewer, a college professor, a teacher, or in corporate training, please get in touch with me about the book and creativity and innovation training programs.

PPS: If you liked this post or found it interesting, please comment, and/or subscribe to this blog, thank you)