Grammy Museum to honor Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy.

by WeAreTheWorld. Fri Nov 08, 2013 8:30 pm

Grammy Museum to honor Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy

By:Edna Gundersen
November 8, 2013

Motown Records founder Berry Gordy and R&B icon Smokey Robinson will be honored with the first Architects of Sound awards, bestowed by the Grammy Museum at its inaugural benefit gala Monday. Music veteran Randy Jackson will serve as host, and the ceremony will close with a concert featuring Boyz II Men and Kelly Rowland.

In recognition of their contributions to Motown, Gordy will receive the Architect of Sound: Vision Award and Robinson will receive the Architect of Sound: Artist Award. The awards, selected by the museum and its board of directors, honor members of the music industry who have been instrumental in shaping America's musical legacy and the sound of a specific genre.

Gordy's hit-making Detroit label paved the career paths for Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5, among many others. Also a songwriter, boxer, producer, director, entrepreneur, teacher and visionary, Gordy was active in the civil rights movement and released the recorded speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Robinson, dubbed America's "greatest living poet" by Bob Dylan, rose to fame in the 1960s making hits with the Miracles. He became vice president at Motown, serving as house producer, talent scout and songwriter, penning and producing hits for The Temptations, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye and others.

The contributions of Gordy and Robinson to Motown "have truly changed the landscape of American music," museum executive director Bob Santelli said in a statement. "We are grateful to these extraordinary industry leaders who will be helping us celebrate not only our first gala, but also our upcoming five-year anniversary of the Grammy Museum."

Proceeds from the event at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles will support the museum, an interactive and educational facility designed to engage children and adults in the power of music through exhibits, special programs, performances and more.

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