Rockwell (musician)

Kennedy William Gordy<ref name="AllMusic">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> (born March 15, 1964),<ref name="Almanac">Template:Cite book</ref> known professionally as Rockwell, is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known for his hit single "Somebody's Watching Me", which features an uncredited Michael Jackson on chorus vocals.<ref name="RS"/> Gordy is the son of Motown founder Berry Gordy.<ref name="AllMusic"/><ref name="RS"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Other relatives include half-siblings Redfoo, Rhonda Ross Kendrick and half-nephew Sky Blu.

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.<ref name='Gordy-Survival'>Template:Cite book</ref>

Growing up in Detroit during the peak of Motown’s influence, Gordy was immersed in music and show business from an early age. Despite his father’s position as Motown’s founder, he reportedly sought to establish a career independently, concerned about accusations of nepotism. Gordy arranged his own audition and signed a recording contract with Motown without Berry Gordy’s prior knowledge.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He adopted the stage name "Rockwell," explaining that he chose it because he believed he "rocked well."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Career

In 1983, 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.<ref name="AllMusic"/><ref name="RS">Template:Cite magazine</ref> "Somebody's Watching Me" became a RIAA gold-certified<ref name="RS"/> #2 song in the US and peaked at #6 in the UK.<ref name="Chart Stats"/> It held #1 on BillboardTemplate:'s R&B chart for five weeks. Follow-up singles underperformed, and "Obscene Phone Caller" became Rockwell's only other Top 40 single, reaching #35 on the Billboard Hot 100.<ref name="Awards"/> 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.<ref name="Chart Stats"/>

Legal issues

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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 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).Template:Citation needed

In July 2010, Rockwell married Nicole Moore. In 2013, he filed for divorce.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In addition to his music career, Rockwell has been involved in various charitable organizations over the years, such as the Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society, and the United Negro College Fund.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions					Certifications
		US <ref name="Awards">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	US R&B <ref name="Awards"/>	AUS <ref name=aus>Template:Cite book</ref>	CAN <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	UK <ref name="Chart Stats"/>
Somebody's Watching Me	Release date: January 30, 1984 Label: Motown	15	5	99	34	52	US: Gold<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Captured	Release date: January 15, 1985 Label: Motown	120	52	—	—	—
The Genie	Release date: 1986 Label: Motown	—	59	—	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions									Certifications	Album
		US <ref name="Awards"/>	US R&B <ref name="Awards"/>	[[Hot Dance Club Songs|US Template:Small]] <ref name="Awards"/>	AUS <ref name=aus/>	AUT <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	CAN <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	NZ <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation			CitationClass=web }}</ref>	SWI <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	UK <ref name="Chart Stats">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Nowrap	1983	2	1	3	12	14	2	5	3	6	US: Gold<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> UK: Gold<ref name=bpi>Template:Cite certification</ref>	Somebody's Watching Me
"Obscene Phone Caller"	1984	35	9	—	—	—	—	—	—	79
"Taxman"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	88
"Knife"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"He's a Cobra"	1985	108	65	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Captured
"Peeping Tom"		—	—	21	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Tokyo"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Carmé"	1986	—	46	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		The Genie
"Grow-Up!"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role
1978	Bloodbrothers	Tyrone
2023	FITUMI: Fake It til U Make It	Man at table

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1971	The Doris Day Show	Himself	Episode: "Whodunnit, Doris"

External links

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