Kennedy William Gordy[1] (born March 15, 1964),[2] better known by his stage name Rockwell, is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. Rockwell is most well known for his hit 1984 single "Somebody's Watching Me" which features Michael Jackson on the chorus vocals.[3] He is the son of Motown founder Berry Gordy.[1][3][4] Other relatives include singers Redfoo, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, and Sky Blu; they are his half-siblings and half-nephew, respectively.

This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (March 2018)

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, he secured his record deal without his father's knowledge.[1] Motown actually came up with the name Rockwell and the young Gordy agreed to the change because he believed he "rocked well."

In 1984, Rockwell had his biggest single, "Somebody's Watching Me", with childhood friend Michael Jackson singing the chorus lyrics and Jermaine Jackson singing backup.[1][3] "Somebody's Watching Me" became a Gold-certified[3] #2 song in the US, which also peaked at #6 in the UK.[6] It held #1 on Billboard's R&B chart for five weeks. Follow-up singles underperformed, with "Obscene Phone Caller" being 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.

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.^{[citation needed]}

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

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, the latter of whom is of no relation to Rockwell.

Rockwell 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. The couple have no children together.[8]

On November 29, 2018, Rockwell was arrested in Hollywood for allegedly beating a female 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]

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Filmography

References

External links

• Rockwell at IMDb

На других языках

[de] Rockwell (Musiker)

[es] Rockwell (cantante)

[ru] Rockwell (музыкант)