Does anyone have info on when and why the Corporation (Berry Gordy, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards, Fonce Mizell) broke apart. Someof the J5's biggest hits (I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save, Mama's Pearl and Sugar Daddy) were done by these men.

I have looked all on the internet about the Corporation but info is scarce. Does anyone know when and why they broke apart.

The impression I got was that Berry turned his attention to his mistress, Ms. Ross, and trying to really cross over into tv and movies. Plus alot of Motown artists were wanting to take creative control (Stevie, Marvin, etc.) and put out more socially conscious music. Berry didn't like that idea, didn't want to piss off the white folks who liked bopping along to the "pop" that Motown was previously known for. So he also had to spend a lot of time dealing with the issues that arrived from that...

That's just what I know off the top of my head...

A more accurate version is found in Gerald Posner's Motown book. Or online if you google.

My version is off the cuff.(It's the 4th so pardon the BBQ sauce.)

Holland Dozier Holland wanted to have a monopoly on there singles being released. Eddie was in A and R and they were raking in the hits with The Supremes.

Hits or not, Berry didn't think that was fair to the other writers and he said no, they'll vote for the best songs like they've been doing.

So, HDH got mad and rolled out.

Berry and his squad took a vacation to write songs and they came up with "Love Child" for the Supremes which went to #1.

That's why they formed. I think like you said Berry was more interested in films via Diana Ross so the music wasn't #1 and they folded.
[Edited 7/4/05 12:16pm]