Robert Cordy obit

Music Exec Robert Louis Gordy Sr. Passes Away at 91

 

He was not on the list.

Music publishing executive Robert Louis Gordy, Sr., the younger brother of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, passed away. He was 91.

His family confirmed that he passed away from natural causes on Friday, Oct. 21 at his home in Marina del Rey, California.

“I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of my younger brother, Robert,” Berry Gordy said in a statement. “He was absolutely the best lil’ brother anyone could ever hope for. His ability to succeed at whatever he attempted or that I threw his way, amazed me over the years. I will miss his love, his support, and his loyalty.”.

Before Robert Gordy, Sr. got into the music publishing sector, he was an artist under the pseudonym Bob Kayli.

His 1958 single “Everyone Was There,” which he co-wrote with Berry, was a mild hit. Released on Carlton Records, the song peaked at No. 96 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Robert later worked at Motown Records, where he eventually became the head of the label’s publishing division, Jobete Music, in 1965.

Robert is survived by his three children, Roxanna Wright, Rodney Gordy and Fuller Gordy); his brother, Berry Gordy; four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and other relatives.

His son, Robert Gordy Jr., passed away in 2021 from natural causes of a non-specific disease.

Funeral arrangements for Robert Gordy, Sr. are expected to be announced at a later date.

From 1961, he worked in Motown's publishing arm Jobete Music Publishing. In 1965 at age 34, he took over as general manager and vice-president of Jobete Music Publishing for more than 20 years following the death of his sister Loucye and being recognized as the number 1 chart publisher for 14 years. As a songwriter, he co-wrote several songs for early Motown artists such as "You're What's Happening (In the World Today)", the B-side to "I Heard it Through the Grapevine", Motown's biggest single up until that time. As an actor, Robert Gordy also played the drug pusher character "Hawk" in his first acting role in the 1972 film Lady Sings the Blues. By 1974 when Mr Gordy was 54, Jobete had a catalog of over 7,000 songs, with Robert Gordy stating that his aim for the company was to have a "well-rounded stable" of songs, including country and western as well as its established repertoire. He moved Jobete from a holder of copyrights into a highly profitable international publishing company. He continued to head Jobete until 1985.

Gordy's son, Robert Jr. died on June 3, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 67.