Berry Gordy, music trailblazer, visits UCLA

June 6, 2024

By all appearances, it was a normal Wednesday in the recording studio at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. Students on trumpet, saxophone, bass and drums, along with three vocalists, were laying tracks to a jazz rendition of Jill Scott’s R&B song “The Way.” Then a special visitor stepped inside: Berry Gordy, the legendary founder of Motown Records.

His arrival created a sensation. Trim and dapper in a gray checked blazer and white dress shirt open at the collar, Gordy greeted each student performer, asking questions and sharing stories and jokes. For the students, the opportunity to shake the hand that guided the careers of some of the 20th century’s biggest stars — including Smokey Robinson, the Miracles, the Supremes, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, the Jackson 5, Rick James, Lionel Richie and the Commodores — must have felt like touching gold.

The legendary hitmaker was on campus that day to finalize details surrounding his recent $5 million pledge to the music school, which will establish the UCLA Berry Gordy Music Industry Center.