Berry, Me, and Motown: The Untold Story

By Raynoma Gordy Singleton

Book Overview

Cofounder of Motown Records with her former husband--the legendary Berry Gordy--Raynoma recounts the untold tale of Motown's history, where legendary music talents such as Stevie Wonder rose to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0809239671
• ISBN13: 9780809239672
• Release Date: September 1991
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Contemporary
• Length: 344 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.9" x 5.9" x 1.0"

Customer Reviews

Reflections of Hitsville USA

This was the latest book that I have read and I must admit, it was the best account of the infamous Motown Records. I felt like I was there with Raynoma Liles as she gives us an account of the building of Motown Records. I loved how descriptive she was of James Jamerson, Papa Zita, Lovain Demps, The Love Tones, and many other gifted people who pumping out instrumental and vocal masterpieces that are treasured all over the world today. I cried when she spoke of Wanda Young of The Marvelettes and how her marriage and her life ended so destitute. Other artist were covered besides The Supremes for a change and gave a clearer view of the entire picture. Picture Detroit, 1960, Cadillac was king, Berry and Raynoma had a dream, and Motown reigned supreme.

When all is said and done...

I truly enjoyed reading this book and find Ms. Gordy-Singleton's accounts of Motown's rise and fall and her relationship with Berry Gordy accurate and truthful. Unfortunately, Berry Gordy made every attempt to destroy the careers and credibility of those artists who dared to defy him (Mary Wells, Martha Reeves, David Ruffin, Gladys Knight, Florence Ballard--to name a few) while leading his employees to believe that "we're all in this together" while keeping the real spoils of victory only for himself. After reading this book I find both Berry Gordy and (especially) Diana Ross utterly despicable. I strongly recommend this book to any Motown music fan as it's a definitive, well-written and extremely informative and entertaining chronicle of the label that put R & B music on the map.

Very Satisfying Read

Fascinating stories about the burst of creativity and enthusiasm that started Motown. Very satifying to read because the writer lets you deep into her soul and tells very real and detailed stories.

Excellent Book -- Takes you back to when Motown was created!

I was in high school when I read this book, and I really loved it. I felt like I was there when everything happened. It really upsets me to know that Raynoma didn't get the proper credit she deserves for co-founding Motown. Like the previous reviewer, I wish there was sequel to find out what has happened since the book's publication. I also wish someone would make a movie out of it.

WELL WRITTEN-BELIEVABLE..BRINGS BACK MEMORIES

You can almost feel that you are actually there.....the way it is written makes it so believable and the images it evokes bring you right back to those early days of Motown. They don't make songs like that anymore!It makes you want to know if Raynoma has finally been recognized for the wonderful contribution she obviously made TO THE EARLY DAYS AND THE LASTING IMPACT OF MOTOWN Can she get a witness? The book shows in so many ways how she came close to getting the recognition she so richly deserves.............then failed to do so in the way she should. Makes you want to see a sequal for the years after this book was written...........It made me see things in a different light. I truly admired her spirit and wonderful talent. I think she's done a great job telling it like it was and is!