Rockwell (musician)
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| Rockwell | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kennedy William Gordy |
| Also known as | Kenneth Gordy |
| Born | March 15, 1964 |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals/Keyboards |
| Years active | 1983 - 1991 |
| Label(s) | Motown |
Rockwell (born Kennedy William Gordy on March 15, 1964 in Detroit, Michigan) is a former R&B performer who was signed to the Motown label.
[edit] Life and career
Rockwell is the son of Motown founder and CEO Berry Gordy. To avoid charges of nepotism, Rockwell secured his record deal without his father's knowledge.[1] Motown came up with the name Rockwell. Prince and Madonna were successful using one name. Rockwell changed his name because he believed he "rocked well."
In 1984, Rockwell released his only hit single, "Somebody's Watching Me", featuring childhood friends Michael and Jermaine Jackson on guest vocals (notably in the chorus lyrics). Rockwell's sister, Hazel, was married to Jermaine Jackson. When Michael was at the height of his pop stardom, Rockwell knew he could get his song released if he could persuade Michael to sing on it.
"Somebody's Watching Me" became a Top Ten pop hit in both the US and UK, and a #1 R&B hit. Follow-up singles underperformed, however, and Rockwell soon ended his musical career with Motown.
Rockwell was not the first member of the Gordy family to hit Billboard's Hot 100 as a recording artist. His uncle, Robert Gordy, reached the longer reaches of the chart in 1958 with "Everyone Was There," recording under the name of Bob Kayli.
Rockwell's half-sister is actress Rhonda Ross Kendrick, the eldest child of Diana Ross.
