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"Motown The Musical", which made its debut on Broadway in
2013 and premiered in the British capital on Tuesday night,
features more than 40 singles from the famed Motown catalog.
It traces Gordy's rise from a young boxing fan and auto worker
in Detroit to a celebrated song maker who turned Smokey
Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, and The
Jackson 5 into music stars, starting out with an $800 loan from
his family.
"We have a love affair with the UK. I mean we've had it since
1964 ... they [British fans] understand our music, they
understand us," Gordy told Reuters, when asked about Motown's
appeal across the Atlantic.
"UK is fabulous, we have so many great memories here."
Gordy, 86, was accompanied by Robinson to the London premiere,
and both received a standing ovation from the audience at
curtain call.
Asked what was the secret behind Motown's success, Gordy said:
"Probably love ... and great poetry and music by this guy right
here," pointing to Robinson.
From rhythm and blues, soul music as well as pop later on, the
Motown Sound features a string of popular hits made famous by
the label's African-American stars, who also influenced U.S.
culture during the civil rights era with their songs.
On Broadway, the musical opened to strong box office sales and
got four Tony Award nominations. The London show is taking
bookings to February 2017.
(Reporting By Sara Hemrajani; Editing by Marie-Louise Gumuchian/Jeremy
Gaunt)
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