Berry Gordy announced he's ready to hit the retirement button.
The entertainment renegade broke the news at Motown Records' 60th Anniversary celebration at Orchestra Hall. After founding the musical empire in 1959, the 89-year-old has decided to step back from his baby.
He told his Detroit hometown family:
"I have come full circle," he said onstage during Motown's 60th anniversary program at Orchestra Hall. "It is only appropriate (to announce this) while here in Detroit, the city where my fairy tale happened with all of you."
What was a "fairy tale" to Gordy, brought us real life icons. We can thank him for major players in the industry, like Diana Ross & the Supremes, the Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and so many more. His 40-minute speech involved a load of reminiscent stories of achievements and life-altering moments. He even admitted to have been playing with the idea of retirement "for years" but never pulled the trigger.
Looks like something lit a fire under Berry to stop procrastinating and now, he's ready to kick back and enjoy his work's payoffs.
Photo: Getty
Tony Spina/Detroit Free Press