Sylvia Moy
The woman who saved Stevie Wonder’s career © 2017
If you love Stevie Wonder’s music and his genius, a shout-out to Sylvia Moy is in order. That’s because at a point in Stevie’s early career, his voice began to change. In addition, he hadn’t had a hit in a few years.
Motown President Berry Gordy, Jr. was ready to make a business decision and release Stevie from Motown.
That’s when Sylvia Moy stepped up. At the time, she was one of Motown’s few female songwriter/producers. Moy asked Gordy if she could come up with a hit song for Stevie would he keep him. Gordy agreed, and Moy came up with that hit, “Uptight, Everything’s Alright.”
In addition to “Uptight,” Sylvia Moy wrote and/or produced:
• “My Cherie Amour”
• “I Was Made To Love Her.”
• “Honey Chile.”
• “This Old Heart of Mine.”
• “It Takes Two,” and many others.
At one point in her life, Moy wanted to be a singer. She recalled, during an interview with Michelle Wilson, how she went to New York and how a record executive she he liked her voice. He also told her emphatically that she would never be a songwriter.
Moy said in response to that comment, “Don’t let anybody tell you what you can’t do, if it’s something you feel in your heart.”
Sylvia Moy was one of the creators of the classic Motown Sound. Regrettably, Ms. Moy died over the weekend.
This tribute was planned before Ms. Moy’s death because her contributions had been recognized and a shout-out was due. Thanks so much for your contributions Ms. Moy.
The woman who saved Stevie Wonder’s career © 2017
If you love Stevie Wonder’s music and his genius, a shout-out to Sylvia Moy is in order. That’s because at a point in Stevie’s early career, his voice began to change. In addition, he hadn’t had a hit in a few years.
Motown President Berry Gordy, Jr. was ready to make a business decision and release Stevie from Motown.
That’s when Sylvia Moy stepped up. At the time, she was one of Motown’s few female songwriter/producers. Moy asked Gordy if she could come up with a hit song for Stevie would he keep him. Gordy agreed, and Moy came up with that hit, “Uptight, Everything’s Alright.”
In addition to “Uptight,” Sylvia Moy wrote and/or produced:
• “My Cherie Amour”
• “I Was Made To Love Her.”
• “Honey Chile.”
• “This Old Heart of Mine.”
• “It Takes Two,” and many others.
At one point in her life, Moy wanted to be a singer. She recalled, during an interview with Michelle Wilson, how she went to New York and how a record executive she he liked her voice. He also told her emphatically that she would never be a songwriter.
Moy said in response to that comment, “Don’t let anybody tell you what you can’t do, if it’s something you feel in your heart.”
Sylvia Moy was one of the creators of the classic Motown Sound. Regrettably, Ms. Moy died over the weekend.
This tribute was planned before Ms. Moy’s death because her contributions had been recognized and a shout-out was due. Thanks so much for your contributions Ms. Moy.