In this film, it's played out the Suzanne de Passe was the one who brought Jackson 5 to Gordan berry's attention but i read stories that it was really Diana ross who brought them to Gordon's attention.
Which one is the real truth?
Actually, it was none of them. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it was Bobby Taylor.
The Jackson 5 wound up at Motown through the efforts of Bobby Taylor, a Motown singer, bandleader (Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers) and producer. One night in the summer of 1968, the Jackson 5 opened for Taylor at Chicago’s legendary Regal nightclub. The brothers were a road-tested act even then, having worked the "chitlin' circuit" of black theaters and nightclubs as far east as Washington D.C. Taylor spirited the Jackson 5 to Detroit, where he worked to get them a deal with Motown. After watching a tape of their routine, Gordy – who'd by then moved to Los Angeles – called Taylor in the middle of the night with these instructions: "You sign those boys, and do it now. Take 'em in the studio and start working."
I heard a few stories about who "discovered" the Jackson 5. My favorite was that they were discovered by Tommy Chong. Chong played guitar with Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers before he became famous as a comedian.
Just to add on to what you are saying, this is kind of hinted at in the film. There's a whole scene about Diana not really discovering them and Bobby Taylor is mentioned around that same time, though Gladys isn't probably because they weren't accepted then. So the movie was somewhat accurate in that respect.
Rest in Peace Maya Angelou and Ruby Dee. Two gifted, beautiful angels who will be dearly missed.
It wasn't even hinted. Actually, it was depicted in the movie that Gordy used Diana Ross as a promotional ploy to introduce the group to the mainstream. Remember the scene where Joe Jackson expresses his dismay about this to Suzanne De Passe while she's in a store shopping for outfits for the J5?
shareYeah, I even mentioned that scene myself. Well, maybe hinted wasn't the correct word perhaps I should have said mentioned but I was just responding to the OP and thread in a general sense. Meaning I was trying to consider everything that was brought up, even the stuff about Gladys Knight etc. But the hinted part is moreso referring to what Cristianos said as the part about Bobby Taylor is not in that exact scene.
Rest in Peace Maya Angelou and Ruby Dee. Two gifted, beautiful angels who will be dearly missed.
I am a relative of one of those women. My grandmothers brother was her grandfather. And I will tell you it was Suzanne de Passe who discovered them. They just used Diana to bring them out to the public.
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