GORDY APPLAUDS DE PASSE & WHITFIELD

Motown Records founder Berry Gordy has issued a statement in response to the announcement of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 2024 inductees. This year's class includes two of his protégés: former Motown exec Suzanne de Passe and songwriter Norman Whitfield. Read the statement in full below.

“Today marks a moment of intense pride as two members of the Motown Family will be honored at the upcoming Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation Awards, Suzanne de Passe and Norman Whitfield.

"I want to congratulate, Suzanne, my protégé and longtime friend, on being selected to receive the prestigious Ahmet Ertegun Award. Suzanne’s vision and passion contributed to Motown’s success. Every task I ever threw at her, she not only accomplished but exceeded my expectations in doing so. Suzanne went from being my creative assistant, helping to launch the careers of Michael Jackson, The Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, The Commodores and more, to co-writing a screenplay for Lady Sings the Blues, for which she received an Oscar nomination. Suzanne has great instincts, a sharp wit and a creative sense that has made her a formidable player in the entertainment world. I continue to be extremely proud of her.

“I am also so thrilled that Norman Whitfield, whom I consider a true musical genius and one of Motown’s most important creative forces, has been selected for the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame’s Musical Excellence Award. His brilliant body of work is versatile and bold. He had early collaborations like Marvin Gaye’s ‘Pride and Joy’ and The Temptations’ ‘Just My Imagination.’ He had numerous #1 hits, including two with the same song, ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine,’ back to back with two artists—Gladys Knight & The Pips and Marvin Gaye. Then, with his ear to the streets, he took The Temptations and Motown in a whole new direction. Norman’s music reflected the social consciousness of the times with songs like ‘Ball of Confusion,’ ‘War’ and ‘Papa Was a Rolling Stone.’ His incredible body of work makes him one of the most important creative forces of his time."

Pictured: de Passe and Gordy; Whitfield