Rockwell (musician)

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Rockwell
Birth nameKennedy William Gordy
Also known asKenneth Gordy
Born (1964-03-15) March 15, 1964 (age 60)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
OccupationSinger
Years active1983–1986
Labels Motown
Father Berry Gordy
Relatives

Kennedy William Gordy [1] (born March 15, 1964), [2] known professionally as Rockwell, is an American singer. He is best known for his hit 1984 single "Somebody's Watching Me", which features Michael Jackson on chorus vocals. [3] Gordy is the son of Motown founder Berry Gordy. [1] [3] [4] Other relatives include half-siblings Redfoo, Rhonda Ross Kendrick and half-nephew Sky Blu.

Contents

Early life

Kennedy William Gordy is the son of Motown founder and CEO Berry Gordy and Margaret Norton. His father named him Kennedy William after John F. Kennedy and William "Smokey" Robinson. [5]

Career

To avoid the appearance of nepotism, Gordy secured his record deal without his father's knowledge. [1] Motown proposed the name of Rockwell and Gordy agreed to the change because he believed that he "rocked well." In 1984, Rockwell released his most successful single "Somebody's Watching Me", with childhood friend Michael Jackson singing the chorus lyrics and Jermaine Jackson singing backing vocals. [1] [3] "Somebody's Watching Me" became a RIAA gold-certified [3] #2 song in the U.S. and peaked at #6 in the UK. [6] It held #1 on Billboard's R&B chart for five weeks. Follow-up singles underperformed, and "Obscene Phone Caller" became Rockwell's only other Top 40 single. It reached #35 on the Billboard Hot 100. [7] Rockwell released two more albums before ending his musical career with Motown.

In 2021, "Somebody's Watching Me" re-entered the UK chart, peaking at #47. [6]

Since the 1990s, Rockwell has left music to focus on charity work, such as the Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society, and the United Negro College Fund. [8]

On November 29, 2018, Rockwell was arrested in Hollywood for allegedly beating an associate with a chair at the Magic Castle Hotel after she approached him and demanded payment. Rockwell was released from jail on December 1, 2018, on a $30,000 bail. On January 7, 2019, the woman, who suffered multiple injuries from the attack and had undergone surgery to repair a broken arm, filed a lawsuit against Rockwell in Los Angeles for personal injury, claiming damages exceeding $25,000. [9]

Personal life

Rockwell is the son of Berry Gordy. Rockwell's paternal half-sister is actress Rhonda Ross Kendrick, the eldest child of Diana Ross. He is also closely related to the group LMFAO through his half-brother Redfoo (Stephen Kendal Gordy, son of Berry Gordy and Nancy Leiviska) and his half-nephew Sky Blu (Skyler Austen Gordy, son of his half-brother Berry Gordy IV and his wife Valerie Robeson).[ citation needed ]

In July 2010, Rockwell married Nicole Moore. In 2013, he filed for divorce. [10]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions Certifications
US
[7]
US R&B
[7]
AUS
[11]
CAN
[12]
UK
[6]
Somebody's Watching Me 155993452
Captured
  • Release date: January 15, 1985
  • Label: Motown Records
12052
The Genie
  • Release date: 1986
  • Label: Motown Records
59
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[7]
US
R&B

[7]
US
Dance

[7]
AUS
[11]
AUT
[14]
CAN
[15]
NZ
[16]
SWI
[17]
UK
[6]
"Somebody's Watching Me"198421312142536Somebody's Watching Me
"Obscene Phone Caller"35979
"Taxman"88
"Knife"
"He's a Cobra"198510865Captured
"Peeping Tom"21
"Tokyo"
"Carmé"198646The Genie
"Grow-Up!"
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRole
1978 Bloodbrothers Tyrone
2023FITUMI: Fake It til U Make ItMan at table
Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
1971 The Doris Day Show HimselfEpisode: "Whodunnit, Doris"

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References

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