By Radio Facts
Songwriters Hall of Fame honors a lot of talented people. This year, the guy who DISCOVERED a lot of those talented people is getting some well-deserved recognition.
On June 16, 2022, Detroit’s great Mickey Stevenson, known as America’s First “A&R” man (and a skillful songwriter as well), will be honored by the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame at the 51st Annual Induction and Awards Gala at the Marriott Marquis in the heart of Time Square in New York City. Additionally, A-List honorees who will join Mickey include Mariah Carey, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart of The Eurythmics, The Isley Brothers, Steve Miller and Paul Williams, to name drop just a few. Not too shabby.
Mickey cut his teeth with Motown’s legendary Berry Gordy and has been the secret to the success of so many legendary artists, such as The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Martha and the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder and many more. As songwriting goes, he put pen to paper on such great hits as “Dancing In The Street,” “It Takes Two,” “What Becomes of The Broken Hearted,” “My Baby Loves Me,” and the iconic, “Devil With The Blue Dress On.”…and he’s not done yet. He’s written a book, titled, “The A&R Man,” and a new song titled, “I Can’t Breathe,” introduced by Whoopie Goldberg on Juneteenth on “The View,” and performed by the great Dietrich Haddon.
AND he’s working on two stage musicals (possibly Broadway bound) that are already catching the attention of the theater world: “The Azusa Revival,” which unmasks the story behind the inception and exponential growth of today’s 500 million strong “charismatic” Pentecostal movement.
But it’s “Sang Sister Sang” that’s turning heads. A dazzling musical that allows audiences to see how eight legendary women of color — Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Dorothy Dandridge, Josephine Baker, Mahalia Jackson, Eartha Kitt and Lena Horne — stood out, fought the system, and became spectacular music icons! Already investors are knocking down Stevenson’s door offering millions.
Most people Mickey Stevenson’s age have long retired, but not this music icon. Married to a beautiful woman half his age could be one of the contributing factors. Or better yet, maybe the man just loves what he does, and being a musical genius at it sure helps!
Even other legends can’t hold back talking about this great man and his incredible 85-year journey….
Testimonials About Mickey Stevenson
“You may not realize how much you are admired and respected by everyone. You have a lot of fans on our Nominating Committee who gave all the reasons for you to be on the ballot. You were elected by the entire membership of a couple of thousand to be inducted. Everybody is excited about celebrating you and your music!”
— Linda Moran CEO and President of The Songwriters Hall of Fame
“Mickey Stevenson is my brother, brother. He has not received his props. He was our first A&R man at Motown. Really the first A&R man ever. Marvin (Gaye) wanted to be a crooner. Mickey was the one who turned Marvin around to become what we know and love! He convinced Marvin Gaye to sing rhythm and blues.” Mickey … has an eye and ears for talented people.”
— Smokey Robinson
“Mickey was a street cat, a wheeler-dealer, but I knew it was that same hustling quality that made him the superstar A&R man he was. He could match up any kind of team – writers, producers, artists – any combination. It was really with Mickey that I began something that was unique to my management style; building the structure around the person rather than fitting the person into the structure. I (will) always remember Mickey Stevenson for his loyalty and dedication. He was one of the greatest creative forces during our formative years.”
— Berry Gordy
“Mickey is one of the people that God gave the gift, to make you do your best, with the gifts God has given you!!!”
— Mary Wilson
“Mickey Stevenson also credited the Motown’s in-house band famously known as The Funk Brothers — who performed the tracks and backing of all the Motown recordings from 1959 until the company moved to Los Angeles in 1972. When new musicians came into Motown and wanted to know, ‘Who’s the power?’ It was Mickey.”
— Jack Ashford (Funk Brothers)
