To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown: An Autobiography

I have been waiting for this memoir for quite some time. I was a little disappointed in the way it was written but I do find that you learn a lot about Berry Gordy. He was talented in many ways that shocked me, but he was without doubt, lost without his family, colleagues and music greats that shaped his life. He shares personal stories about his love affair with Diana Ross and their daughter, Rhonda. It is odd how he explains how they were able to tell her the truth about her paternity and of course you only get his side not the sides of Diana and Rhonda. He glazes over the divorce of Marving Gaye and his sister, Anna and their divorce. He skirts around the drama involved the Temptations. He was a puzzled man who never believed that he was love so he had numerous affairs with women and out of that came many children, but I believe he never was able to love himself. The breaking point here is when Motown 25 was released, and it dawn on him that this was to show how all the artists loved him, and this broke him down to reality. My only regret was that this book could have been shortened by at least 50 pages. He spent way too much time talking about the music and film business that was boring. I simply loved the throwback on all the forgotten photos and their happy moments. It would have been wonderful to see a long list of all the artists that was signed to Motown and Jobette and/or a picture of them but I'm sure that would have been a long and tedious search to complete. The tearjerker here is the selling of Motown and how the realization had hit him that he had and must be ready to embrace the future of the music busines and how he had to grable with the sale and it domino effect.

This was one of the most fascinating books I've ever read. I couldn't put it down. So many awesome characters and people that everyone knows. Definately recommended. Highly

I really enjoyed this book. I'd always been intrigued by the way Motown was run and this explained a lot. Like any biography it may be a little biased in places but it just doesn't matter. Highly recommended.

reading about Berry Gordy was fantastic.the many talents that he heard & signed.the Man was a Pioneer for African-American people.his business Savy opened the door for many.all the Labels that are created today from Rap & R-N-B owe Mr.Gordy his props.he is a true trail-blazer.his vision & ideas forever changed the world and music as we know it.

i continue to feel a sense of awe as i read. what ever was in the background of the story, the truth on the surface is that, motown's blessing was berry gordy. consider being locked in a destiny filled with certain failure and uncertain success. your vision emerges beyond your wildest dreams to change the landscape of the music sceen. memories of yesterday and statements of today are still reflected in the music of motown. magic or god? determination or wisdome? for a black man, this was uncharted teritory. for the white man it was thought to be protected. there was no sense of invasion or conquest as fun and joy mixed with sorrow and sadness. the success and accomplishment mingled with struggle and desension. survival slowly became the motto of the day. the reality of the entertainment world and the almighty dollar loured conflict like vultures to rob the safety of the domain. berry gordy was chosen for this at birth and only god understands for surely god has been and is with this man and his vision. the music has been and still is a wonderful and joyful pleasure.the world has become a wonderful place full of riches and promise for so many people because of how god used and still is using this man. i pray god will always be his strength.

from start to finish i found this book to be very informative. i personally loved the book, right along with all the motown gang. it's always so uplifting to see how diligence can pay off. i've also read mary wilson's book and otis williams's book, and my personal opinion is just that! everyone has one (opinion that is) and sure there are two sides to every story (sometimes more...)barry worked long and hard, and through many sacrifices managed to survive it all. i applaud you barry and your vision that came to past. i will surely read the book again it re-surfaced many a memory as to who, what and where was i in my personal life at those particular moments when certain records came out...five*****