Berry Gordy Jr. founded Motown Record Corporation on January 12, 1959, with just an $800 loan from his family's savings club. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this legendary record label would go on to become one of the most successful Black-owned businesses in American history.

Before establishing Motown, Gordy worked at the Lincoln-Mercury plant and owned a failed record store. These experiences, combined with his stint as a songwriter for local Detroit artists, gave him the inspiration to create his own record label. He initially named it Tamla Records before incorporating it as Motown Record Corporation.

The name "Motown" came from Detroit's nickname "Motor Town," reflecting the city's dominant auto industry. Gordy established the company's first headquarters at 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, in a modest house that would become famously known as "Hitsville U.S.A."

Under Gordy's leadership, Motown developed a distinctive sound that blended R&B with pop music, creating what became known as the "Motown Sound." His business approach was unique - he ran Motown like an assembly line, similar to the auto plants where he had worked, with dedicated departments for artist development, quality control, and production.

The label discovered and developed legendary artists including Diana Ross & The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, and The Temptations. Gordy's vision was to make "the sound of young America," creating music that would appeal to both Black and white audiences.

Berry Gordy remained Motown's president until 1988, when he sold the company to MCA and Boston Ventures for $61 million. Today, Motown operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, but Gordy's legacy as its founder and his impact on popular music remains indelible.

Major achievements under Gordy's leadership: - First African American-owned record label to reach widespread national success - Over 180 No. 1 hits worldwide - Helped launch the careers of more than 100 artists - Broke down racial barriers in the music industry - Created a distinctive sound that defined an era

Through his vision and leadership, Berry Gordy Jr. transformed a small Detroit-based record company into a music empire that changed the landscape of popular music forever. His story represents one of the most successful entrepreneurial ventures in the history of the American music industry.

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