When Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and more paid an all-star tribute to a late Motown legend

13 June 2023, 10:36

Motown Records' contribution to popular music cannot be overstated.

Founded in 1958 by Berry Gordy Jr., the record label paved the way for African-American artists to integrate into mainstream music.

Gordy had a hand in picking, producing, writing for, and promoting some of the best talents to emerge from that generation.

Under his guidance on the record label, the likes of Marvin Gaye, the Miracles, the Supremes, Jackie Wilson, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder all became major stars.

Gordy meticulously curated how his artists would look, act, and sound to appeal to the widest audience possible, helping break race barriers at the same time.

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It was these principles that established the world-beating record label as the highest-earning African-American business for decades.

Motown ensured all artists were mentored on their paths to success, and one of those key mentors was Gordy's father, Berry "Pops" Gordy Sr.

"Pops" had a personal stake in the achievements of Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder, as he was a father-like figure to them all.

That's why the aforementioned artists all came together in an all-star tribute to "Pops" to commemorate his mentorship after he passed away.

Pops, We Love You

Berry "Pops" Gordy Sr. died in the October of 1978, and understand, his son and everybody associated with Motown Records were absolutely devastated.

Gordy Jr. asked the label's longtime songwriters Marilyn McLeod and Pam Sawyer to compose a song which would be a fitting tribute to his late father, who was so integral to Motown's success.

He began to produce the lead single for an all-star tribute album, and called upon Diana, Stevie, Marvin, and Smokey to record it, who all gladly agreed.

The trio began work on 'Pops, We Love You (A Tribute to Father)', with work commitments meaning Stevie had to record his parts later.

Though the lyrics are somewhat obvious and saccharine, the vocal performances of each of these artists take the spotlight, with Ross, Wonder, Robinson, and Gaye all pouring in as much heart and meaning as possible.

Because the recording at Motown's L.A. Studios went so smoothly, Diana and Marvin decided to record another composition.

The result was the socially conscious funk jam 'I'll Keep My Light in My Window', which became their first duet since 1972.

I'll Keep My Light In My Window

Though the initial response to 'Pops, We Love You (A Tribute to Father)' was somewhat tepid, the song received critical praise.

What stood out to critics was the four artists' evident affection for the late Pops, saying that they formed a "spirited quartet" in an "infectious" song.

It was also pointed out that Marvin Gaye seemingly had "boundless love" for Pops Gordy, with the artist later saying himself that: "If Pops had been my father instead of Berry's, ... maybe I could have achieved as much as Berry.'"

Given Marvin's tumultuous relationship with his own father, which ultimately had tragic consequences, clearly, Pops meant a great deal to him.

The song would be a one-off for these unique, era-defining artists coming together in tribute to someone that they held so dear and who had a major contribution to their individual successes.

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