2023’s MusiCares Person Of The Year Gala, honored Motown legends Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Gordy and Robinson were two of the most influential figures in the history of Motown, a record label and music production company founded by Gordy in Detroit, Michigan in 1959. Nearly 65 years later, the pair still has a uniquely strong friendship and partnership.
Highlight performances from the night included John Legend performing a cover of the Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There,” Chloe x Halle’s performance of the Supremes’ “Baby Love,” Lalah Hathaway’s performance of “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing.” Attendees included the likes of Jimmy Jam, Sheryl Crow, Otis Williams, and several other music industry staples.
One attendee was the legendary Dionne Warwick. When asked about her thoughts on the legendary duo’s longevity, she exclusively told the Knockturnal, “You have to be true to who you are. You have to stay true to who you are, you can’t be anybody but you.”
Gordy, who had a boxing and songwriting background, was the catalyst in establishing Motown as a platform for Black artists to showcase their talents and reach a wider audience. He signed a slew of talented musicians, including Smokey Robinson, who went on to become one of the label’s most successful artists. Robinson was the lead singer of The Miracles, a group that had several Motown hits, including “Shop Around,” “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” and “The Tracks of My Tears.”
Check out our red carpet interviews below:
