Berry Gordy: America's First Black Music Mogul: the architect of the Motown sound ushered in a new era of music.

In 1960, four teenaged girls from Detroit's Brewster projects calling themselves the Primettes auditioned for Berry Gordy. Gordy, president of Motown Records, was impressed with the girls but wanted them to finish high school before signing them.

A year later, he remained true to his word and signed the group to his nascent label. As with other acts signed to Motown, Gordy was a hands-on manager. He changed the name of the group to the Supremes and gave the girls lessons in grooming, elocution, and table manners through his talent management company. When the Supremes' records became hit songs, Gordy's management company also offered financial advice.

During the 1960s, more than 68 Motown singles reached the million-seller mark, and Motown artists made an incredible amount of money performing in nightclubs and concerts. Gordy went on to produce the most popular soul singers and musicians of that era including Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, and Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. The music mogul and his in-house team of songwriters and producers established the golden age of black popular music known as the "Motown Sound." By managing one of the most impressive rosters of artists in the history of pop music, Gordy built the largest and most successful independent record company in the U.S. by 1963.

Gordy displayed his great sense for building wealth as he launched a series of independent subsidiaries that controlled various elements within his larger empire. After he co-wrote a series of hit songs, Gordy formed his own publishing company named Jobete. Anyone writing for Motown was published by Jobete, which grew to be one of the most powerful publishing companies in the industry.

In 1973, when BLACK ENTERPRISE began tracking the BE 100s--the nation's largest black-owned companies--Motown Industries debuted in the No. I spot with $40 million in sales. It remained at the top of the list for 10 years. By then, Motown was America's first black multimillion-dollar entertainment giant. It was composed of Motown Records and its eight labels; Motown Productions, the film and television company that produced Lady Sings the Blues; Multi-Media Management Corp., a talent management company; and Jobete Music Co.

Motown was a private, family corporation. Gordy was the major shareholder but his family members--the original investors who put up $800 to help him start his record label--were given senior management positions. Two sisters served as vice presidents. One brother served as vice president in charge of music publishing; the other was an administrative general manager. His mother was a corporate secretary, and his father served as a consultant.

In 1986, Forbes estimated Gordy's wealth at more than $180 million. But as hip-hop's popularity grew, Motown started losing its luster. Oordy sold his pioneering label in 1988 for $61 million to a group of investors who resold it a few years later for $325 million. Gordy retained ownership of the music publishing unit for some time. EMI Music Publishing has since bought 100% of Jobete's catalog for more than $320 million.

Gordy, who turns 76 next month, was recognized with BE's A. G. Gaston Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. His success blazed a trail for Russell Simmons, Antonio "LA." Reid, and Scan "Diddy" Combs to follow.