Gwen Gordy Fuqua facts for kids

Gwen Fuqua (born Gwendolyn Gordy; November 26, 1927 – November 8, 1999) was an amazing American businesswoman, songwriter, and composer. She helped create many famous songs like "Lonely Teardrops", "All I Could Do Was Cry", and "Distant Lover". Gwen got her last name, Fuqua, when she married Harvey Fuqua. She kept it even after they divorced.

Gwen Fuqua's Story

Her Early Life and Career

Gwen Gordy was born in Detroit to Berry Gordy Sr. and Bertha Ida Gordy. She was the youngest of four sisters: Esther, Anna, and Loucye. Her brothers, Berry and Robert, were born after her.

After finishing high school, Gwen ran the photo booth at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit. This made her well-known in the city's lively music scene. By the late 1950s, Gwen was also helping her brother Berry with his music dreams.

She introduced Berry to Al Green, the club manager. Green managed music stars like Johnnie Ray and LaVern Baker. He had just signed a new singer from Detroit named Jackie Wilson.

Green also owned a music publishing company. He was looking for new songs. Gwen teamed up with her brother Berry and Roquel "Billy" Davis. Billy was a childhood friend who knew people at Chess Records in Chicago.

Their songwriting team started strong. They wrote "Jim Dandy Got Married" for LaVern Baker. They also wrote "All I Could Do Was Cry" for Etta James. But their biggest early success was writing hits for Jackie Wilson.

Gwen, Berry, and Billy wrote five hit songs in a row for Jackie Wilson. These included "Reet Petite", "Lonely Teardrops", "That's Why (I Love You So)", "To Be Loved", and "I'll Be Satisfied". These songs made Wilson a huge rock and roll star. However, Gwen didn't earn much money from Wilson's label, Brunswick.

Even though they wrote many hits, Gwen, Berry, and Roquel had to share the songwriting money. To earn more, Berry asked that some of their songs be used as "B-sides" on Wilson's records. When his manager said no, the trio decided to stop working with Jackie.

Gwen Gordy was the first to start her own record company. She created a label with Roquel Davis and named it 'Anna', after her sister. Davis used his connections to get a deal with Chess Records. This allowed their new Anna label to sell records all over the country.

Gwen and Roquel wanted Berry to join them. But Berry decided to start his own company instead. The Anna label helped distribute a song called "Money (That's What I Want)" by Barrett Strong. This song became a top 40 hit in 1960.

In 1960, Gwen also helped write the song "All I Could Do Was Cry". This song was first offered to Erma Franklin, Aretha's sister. But Erma's father didn't approve. So, Chess Records bought the song and recorded it with Etta James.

Soon after, Gwen met Harvey Fuqua. Together, they started two new record labels: Harvey Records and Tri-Phi Records. The Tri-Phi label signed The Spinners. The Spinners had their first hit with a song Gwen and Harvey wrote called "That's What Girls Are Made For".

In 1961, Motown Records took over Anna Records. This led to Marvin Gaye signing with Motown. The Harvey and Tri-Phi labels also joined Motown two years later. Gwen and Harvey Fuqua then worked for Motown. Gwen handled business, and Harvey became a writer and producer.

Gwen and her sister Anna also led Motown's Artist Development program. By the mid-1960s, Gwen was managing artists like the Spinners, Shorty Long, Junior Walker & the All Stars, and Tammi Terrell. Tammi Terrell signed with Motown in 1965. Gwen convinced Motown to let Tammi sing duets with Marvin Gaye.

In 1973, Gwen helped add lyrics to Marvin Gaye's song, "Distant Lover". This song became a hit in 1974 after Motown released a live recording of it. In 1977, Gwen started her own company called Gwen Glenn Productions. She produced music for Motown artists like High Inergy. She retired from the music business in the early 1980s.

Her Personal Life

Gwen Gordy dated fellow songwriter Billy Davis for several years. Later, she became involved with Harvey Fuqua. Gwen and Harvey married in 1961. After that, Gwen was known as Gwen Gordy Fuqua. They divorced in 1968.

After most of the Spinners left Motown in 1972, Gwen started a relationship with former Spinners bandmate G.C. Cameron. She managed his career and later married him.

The couple separated in the late 1970s after Cameron left Motown. Gwen's production company, "Gwen Glenn," was named after her son, Glenn Gordy. Gwen moved to California in the early 1970s. She lived there comfortably from her song royalties until she passed away.

Her Passing

Gwen passed away from cancer at her home in San Diego, California, on November 8, 1999. She was 71 years old. She was buried in Detroit, Michigan.