Rockwell (musician)

Infobox Musical artist


Img_size = 150
Name = Rockwell
Background = khaki
|Birth_name = Kennedy William Gordy
Alias = Kenneth Gordy
Born = birth date|1964|3|15|mf=y
Origin = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Occupation = Singer
Genre = Pop
Years_active = 1983 - 1991
Instrument = Vocals/Keyboards
Label = 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.

Life and career

Rockwell is the son of Motown founder and CEO Berry Gordy and Margaret Norton. To avoid charges of nepotism, Rockwell secured his record deal without his father's knowledge. [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:i2ja7i6jg75r Rockwell] st All Music Guide] Motown came up with the name Rockwell. 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.

References